Wild and Domestic Cattle in the Ancient Nile Valley: Marks of Ecological Change

Archaeological sites at Affad (Sudan) are the only ones in northeastern Africa providing ostological remains of both African aurochs (Bos primigenius), dated to 50 kya, and domestic cattle, dated to 7–6 kya. The evidence enables studies of behavioral diversity between taurids. Strontium isotope analyses of the tooth enamel of both Pleistocene and Holocene ruminants suggest the local origin of these animals. The archaeozoological analysis reveals the temporal variability of environmental conditions was linked to a humid climate during the Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3), which was more humid than the dry fluctuations during the African Humid Period. In addition, changes in the phenotype of cattle indicate that humans influenced domesticated animal behavior in the sub-Saharan region.