Ancient DNA reveals the horse's life

molecular archaeologists from the CNRS research institute in Toulouse, France, worked with 120 other researchers to study stable sites across Europe and Asia and collect the world's largest collection of horse DNA, some of which are 42,000 years old.
after years of research and analysis, researchers have yet to solve the mystery of the origins of modern horses, but have a deeper understanding of how humans domesticate horses and have discovered two previously unknown horse genealogies.
to determine when the horse was first domesticated, the researchers visited Kazakhstan and found the Botai settlement, the first to begin domesticated horses. But DNA found locally by scientists suggests that the domesticated species were not the ancestors of modern horses, but relatives of modern horses.
researchers then obtained DNA data on 278 ancient horses and their kinship species through archaeologists, geneticists and museum curators. Comparing genetic information from ancient and modern horses, the team restored 5,000 years of horse history.
although no ancestors of modern horses were found, the researchers did find two new horse linetales. One roamed Portuguese and Spanish soil about 4,000 years ago; the other lived in Siberia, Russia, at the same time. Both horses are extinct, and their imprints have not been found in the DNA of modern horses.
study also showed that many modern horses have recently emerged, with selective breeding being more strongly about 200 years ago, with both positive and negative consequences. Horses, for example, are stronger and more durable, while genetic diversity is severely reduced and the risk of genetic diseases increases.
, one of the study's team members, said the study confirmed that horses 1,000 years ago and horses today are two different creatures. There may be many more types of horses to be found in