Last updated on: 7/10/2013 | Author: ProCon.org

4000 BC – Early Evidence of Milking Cattle in Neolithic Britian

Through analyzing degraded fats on unearthed potshards, scientists have discovered that Neolithic farmers in Britain and Northern Europe may have been among the first to begin milking cattle for human consumption.

The dairying activities of these European farmers may have begun as early as 6,000 years ago. According to scientists, the ability to digest milk was slowly gained some time between 5000-4000 B.C.E. by the spread of a genetic mutation called lactase persistance that allowed post-weaned humans to continue to digest milk.

If that date is correct, it may pre-date the rise of other major dairying civilizations in the Near East, India, and North Africa.