Permafrost preservation reveals proteomic evidence for yak milk consumption in the 13th century

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  • Alicia R. Ventresca Miller
  • Shevan Wilkin
  • Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan
  • Ramsøe, Abigail Daisy
  • Julia Clark
  • Batsuren Byambadorj
  • Sandra Vanderwarf
  • Nils Vanwezer
  • Ashleigh Haruda
  • Ricardo Fernandes
  • Bryan Miller
  • Nicole Boivin

Domesticated yaks endure as iconic symbols of high-altitude frozen landscapes, where herding communities depend on their high-fat milk, transport, dung, and natural fibers. While there is established proteomic evidence for ancient consumption of ruminant and horse milk in the mountains and steppes of northern Eurasia, yak dairy products have yet to be detected. Yak domestication and the species’ dispersal from Tibet into the mountainous zones to the north are also poorly resolved due to a paucity of zooarchaeological data. To examine the potential of paleoproteomics to shed light on domesticated yak in Mongolia, we analyzed human dental calculus from Mongol era elite individuals recovered from permafrost burials in Khovsgol province, where people continue to herd yak to this day. We report the first evidence for yak dairy consumption, linked to local resource control. In addition, we confirm a large diversity of recovered whey, curd, tissue, and blood proteins, likely reflecting the excellent preservation conditions found at permafrost sites.

Original languageEnglish
Article number351
JournalCommunications Biology
Volume6
Number of pages9
ISSN2399-3642
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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© 2023, The Author(s).

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