Early evidence of horse riding in Mongolia uncovered by melted snow

Mongolia, known for its rich equestrian culture, may have had early evidence of horse riding dating back 3400 years, according to a recent study published in the Holocene. The discovery of a trimmed horse hoof, believed to have been clipped off by a caretaker, suggests that Mongolia's renowned equestrian tradition may have begun using horses 200 years earlier than previously thought. This finding sheds light on the empire that shaped the movement of people, goods, and even infectious diseases in ancient times, SSP reported.

Archaeological and genetic evidence indicates that horses were first domesticated around 4200 years ago in southern Russia's Pontic-Caspian steppes. However, it was the mastery of horsemanship by the Mongolians that left an indelible mark on the social and political landscapes of East Asia. Horses played an integral role in the lives, battles, and even burials of Mongol riders, with some burial sites containing numerous interred horses. A popular Mongolian proverb asserts that "A Mongol without a horse is like a bird without wings."

However, the oldest domestic horse bones discovered in Mongolia date back only 3200 years, a full millennium after horses were domesticated. This raised questions about whether the journey of horses from the Pontic-Caspian steppes to Mongolia truly took that long. Given the extensive human and animal movements along the Eurasian steppes during that period, it seems unlikely. Although hints of domestic horses were found in Mongolia through the detection of horse milk proteins on the teeth of people living there 3400 years ago, direct evidence was scarce.

In pursuit of bridging this archaeological gap, archaeologist William Taylor embarked on expeditions in western Mongolia. On the second expedition, his team discovered iron horseshoes and a hoof pick, indicative of horse care and notched hoof maintenance. However, these artifacts could not be dated using carbon dating methods. Later, Taylor stumbled upon a seemingly insignificant broken fragment resembling a piece of horn near an arrow embedded in ice. Closer inspection revealed that it was a horse's hoof with a scalloped edge, possibly the result of human intervention.

The area where the hoof was found, at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level in the Altai Mountains, holds great historical significance. Although the DNA of the hoof was too damaged for further analysis, radiocarbon dating suggested that the horse lived as early as the 14th century BCE. This finding marks the first concrete physical evidence of horse use in Mongolia during the era of horse domestication.

Taylor believes that this discovery highlights the presence of horse cultures in inner Asia, not adequately documented in historical or archaeological records. The innovative use of horses, such as packing heavy game, and the development of horsemanship expertise ultimately led to the formation of steppe empires that transformed the ancient world.

There is still debate surrounding the interpretation of the hoof artifact. Some experts argue that it resembles a complete hoof capsule rather than evidence of trimming, suggesting it may have fallen off naturally. However, Taylor counters these arguments by citing additional discoveries of saddles and bridles close to the hoof, supporting the notion of historical hoof maintenance practices in the region.

Overall, this finding contributes to our understanding of the early origins of horse riding in Mongolia and showcases the crucial role of horses in shaping ancient civilizations. It serves as a valuable snapshot of Mongolian equestrian traditions and their significance in historical development, providing insight into horse cultures that thrived in inner Asia during that time.