Sign up for a 14-day free trial and enjoy all the amazing features MyHeritage has to offer bit.ly/DanDavisHistoryMH Thanks so much for watching - please hit like and do share the video on social media and with your friends and family, it really helps me enormously. You guys are the best, I appreciate your help very much.
Dan Davis giving me something great to listen to, watch, and think about while I make breakfast. Never a bad video, nothibg I won't click on immediately.
Even today, populations, often towns or cities, have run into economic problems by putting all of their eggs in one basket (industry). Detroit, for instance, spent 50 years focused on automaking to the exclusion of developing other industries. When competition from Japan came, Detroit couldn't sustain its economic leadership and overall life quality in the city collapsed, becoming crime ridden, rife with violence and impoverished. I was born and raised their, witnessing much of the downtown, which began before I was born.
I love Dan Davis’ videos because they don’t have a sense of academic pretension or fear of retribution in case of an error. They instill a sense of wonder and a deep yearning for knowledge in the viewer, and they bring what can easily feel like distant peoples and cultures to life in a way that is truly wonderful. Dan, if you see this comment, thank you for sharing all the amazing information and stories that you do with us; we truly appreciate it
This kind of stuff really helps me avoid the synaptic pruning that occurs to most people once they finish school. Thanks for helping me stay smarter than a 5th grader.
YT actually told me about this one. Clicked immediately! I've been turning wrenches for close to 20 years now. But when my customers ask me what else I would be doing, i always say archeology & anthropology. They're always genuinely confused. Anyways, I always enjoy your content and story telling. Thank you.
Everything he has posted is excellent. My boy is a talented story teller and teacher and knows what he doesn't know and happily gives his opinion on a theory. You would probably like the fall of civilizations, another fine production.
Mundane job, interesting hobby! Me too. Dan Davis and North 02 do amazing work keeping up with the journals. You really want to have fun- consider taking a vacation close to a dig. They LOVE real world wrenches. You can get room and board trading your skill. I remember pulling spark plug out of an old merc outboard and cleaning the plug with a lighter. You would have thought i was a magician...
@stripeytawney822 north 02 is a good name drop... glad to see him being promoted... for such a young guy he does amazing work... for anyone really... but especially someone just starting out
Yep!! 06 Electician (techie).. gotta make a living.. Archeology, anthropology, paleontology and geology.. among other subjects, have always been interests. We can't specialize in everthing.. Be Well!! 😃
@@stripeytawney822when I was a Helpdesk tech, I had lawyers, engineers, accountants and other professionals asking "how do you know this stuff?" We all have our forte.. a scientist can't commute without a mechanic.. nor can they telecommute without a "techie"... There is nothing "mundane" about being a skilled professional in your field. I do however, think you gave great advice about taking the opportunity to partake in your "outside" interests.. They could use the help and a great chance to learn more and be involved in something you feel is special and cool!! Be Well!! 😃
The possibility that the Przewalski horses are just the long-free ferals of the Botai culture blew my mind when I first heard of it. Shows how few certainties there are even in the ancient past, or at least how we understand that past.
Makes me even prouder that my country keeps the studbook and plays an active role in the survival of these animals with a very successful re-introduction program. It's a shame we weren't able to do the same with the native tarpan horse. At least the rewilding efforts with moor ponies are well on their way all over Europe.
A paleontologist friend of mine who specializes in horse (& camel) evolution says they're domesticated which honestly blew my mind when I first heard that. They've been "feral" so long though I don't think we can call them domesticated anymore
@@platedlizardamerican camels are the best! Same with the original american horse Them injuns killed them all and ate them. Well thats what covid vax science cult says
It's an interesting conjecture. If the Przewalski horses are indeed descended from domesticated (or feral) Botai horses, then it sets the stage for the Mongolians to domesticate them once they spread that far east. Hard to prove, given the (according to Dan) sketchy evidence, but nevertheless feasible.
Lots of false information here. Przewalski horses are incapable of holding weight on their back. They do not have the bone density and muscle mass that domestic horses have. It’s more likely that through their travels that they accumulated horses from South Asia. The guy who did this video clearly has no clue about equine and their genetics.
Well-researched, well-composed, and aesthetically pleasing, I like your videos even better than your books. Finding this much resources on such an obscure topic must have required a great deal of effort. Hats off to you!
Your humility as you reach the edges of your own knowledge of archaeogenetics is an absolute credit to you as a creator. We dont hear people point that out often enough - it should be more normalised, in exactly the way you did it
Thank you. It's the molecular science stuff in the pottery sherd studies and horse osteology studies that you have to be an expert in to assess whether it's good science or not. Very specialist fields so when they have back and forth debates in publications, one expert saying the science isn't good and a responder saying "yes it is" then as a layman it's not really possible to even have your own opinion other than going by vibes.
@@DanDavisHistory it's just as compelling for us as your audience to hear you report the controversy. So much of this is mystery - you've always had a talent for presenting the possibilities and letting us enjoy each one in turn.
you have no idea how much this vid made my day. im a farrier, i do this to live closer to my ancestors. i have been saying it for years theres missing info on the domestication of horses and we will find it in the step hunters/herders before the yamnaya and look at that there it is!!! i will ask people who float horse teeth on their opinions on the teeth wear patterns. i am so excited to hear more about this discovery in the future. finally proof that pushes the date back! As horses changed due to domestication so did tack and horsemanship one group the numidians, had an older style of horsemanship that they imported from anatolia. i believe it is a good historical account to use as reference to how early horsemanship would have looked like, likely not to dissimilar to the botai despite the thousands of years.
I've studied history, pre-history, archeology, and anthropology about all my life, and I've never seen anything close to the quality that Dan Davis puts out. There's something tremendously satisfying in learning about very early European life, honestly. Usually, when we think about European archeology, it's focused around far more modern stuff, especially in the British Isles. There's never mention of these Tribes like the Botai or what they contributed to the grand story! To think that they might have been the first horsemen is pretty amazing.
PBS (Nova) actually attempted this subject several years ago. However at that time they bought heavily into the theory that horses with worn teeth meant some ancient alien domestication of horses. As Dan pointed out, the theory of teeth wear proving domestication has since been heavily criticized. Good for him for telling both sides of this debate.
Thank you for that, Mr Davis. I've been living on a Welsh mountain with a herd of (as good as) feral horses for neighbours for the past year. The brood mares are brought in once a year to ween off the foals then released back onto the mountain, all unbroken, no other routine contact - their owner wants them in to ween now but they just have to wait for the grass to get scarce on the moor, open a gate into a field and wait for them to find it and go in of their own accord, there's no way of herding them. About 4 months ago I started working to tame one of this year's colts, everyday I go and spend anything from an hour to 5 or 6 hours with him and the herd. It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I eventually struck upon the simple method of grazing alongside him, after he had got used to my presence, and feeding him little bunches of grass every minute or two. I coached him through a fight then challenged him myself, that was the day he decided I was worth knowing and eventually allowed me to put my hand on him, I felt like a King that day. I keep guard while he snoozes when I'm there now and now he's at the point of lying flat on his side and letting me massage him all over. I must admit I'm proud of that, the owners of the herd can't quite believe it. I am considering training him to ride bear-back because a saddle is hassle and I want to be free to ride him often, without messing around. I am now wondering about simply using a rope instead of a bit, as mentioned here. What's my point? None really, other than I am, like the Batai, absolutely horse obsessed, I live and breathe horses today, I am part of a herd, I think I can say that with confidence. Maybe I can just say one thing... I suspect the batai were very, very happy people, because there are no sages so authentic as a herd of horses, they teach you to slow down, teach you to be peaceful, teach you to guard your friends and to love with a passion unrivalled. Aye. They say man's best friend is the dog... I strongly disagree today, it is the horse... and it occurs to me now what a terrible loss it was when these majestic companions of ours were relegated to the sports fields. One thing I learned last week, or finally confirmed, a horse's mood changes with the wind. When it is still he is sociable and calm, when windy he will rail at the slightest disturbance and must be left alone. A horse runs like the wind, in more ways than one.
I’ve never told this story about wild horses in SW Colorado. I took a job on 400 acres for a season it was an amazing experience with nature in that part of America. No electricity no running water. I lived in a yurt. Greatest living experience of my life not in a tent. I went on a 48 day survival retreat on my own in the mountains after my job was over to give context to how this story changed my life. I came across a group of wild horses 13 to be exact while walking the property my 3rd day. I watched in amazement for 3 hours without any real knowledge of wild horses I did and do know something Very important about wildlife I’m almost always going to be the real intruder in the wilderness. I was able to get about 50 yards from them and I sat let them smell me and did nothing but sit. It became an everyday experience that brought them to my yurt to drink rain caught water out of a troth I built. I started storing water for them used hand pumps and watered them down in the July heat was absolutely life altering. I made friends with them never touched a single one didn’t feel the need to. Did have them let me come sit with them or even nap by them and I mean right next to them anywhere on that property it was like having friends everywhere. I watched them fight and even run 1 out of the herd and not once did they ever show me anything but this beautiful little look every once in a while. Communication was there the males never wanted me to be to close when they were attempting to do their thing so they would give a little head angled down and snort with an almost empty gaze ( lost in lust look) so I knew what they were doing and why would I want to be around for that. In the end there were 15 by the time I left and I witnessed one birth from about 5 feet away I will always love them beyond anything I could have imagined was possible. Your second paragraph is what makes me tell this story so thank you so very much for sharing your story from Welsh ✌🏼 horses connecting people without riding them ! Best of luck to you.
@ And to you good fellow, and yes... funny isn't, nothing compares to the peace of the herd. My lad was taken off the mountain and weened last week, I've been going to see him everyday since and have begun training him now, he is, without a doubt, my best friend, the most beautiful friend. Sometimes I wake up and I can just see the little fellow in my minds eye there waiting for me to arrive and it leaves me feeling so perfectly blissful, so lucky to have met him and his family... aye, the perfect friend, perfectly honest, quiet, loyal... and, moreover, the kind of friend who quietly reflects, without any criticism, my flaws back to me so I can work on myself. Aye. I've arranged to buy him now - he's to be sold one way or another. I can't wait for the day that we ride out together across the mountains... and I'll be sure the first place we visit when we leave the little paddock where we're going to live together now is the moor atop the mountain so I can hop off his back and sit beside him as he grazes on his home turf a while. Aye, that will be a fine day. I'm going to release a film here this week hopefully that I made over the past 6 or 7 months, the horses are the stars of the film and towards the end I have created a sequence showing my friendship with good Arthur (the dependable) develop from our first encounter to today. I think you might enjoy it. All the best to ye, I hope you might find a way to continue your experience with your herd... I have decided that there is no life, for me, that offers such bliss as that alongside Arthur... why would I rush around on wheels with a cold metal engine as company when I can walk steady and enjoy the view with my best friend? 🐎 [typo]
Really impressed that you were able to draw on a June 2024 paper to use it in a video on these people. Looks like a fascinating culture. I would have to think that they had a whole religion centered around the horse. And the domestication would be incredible if that is what happened. Riding bareback seems like an accomplishment in itself. I can't believe they would do it without any kind of stirrups.
The American Indians prove that not only bare back riding is possible, but also shooting arrows while hanging / hiding under their horses' neck. Comanche stories are that they could shoot arrows as fast as the revolver while riding. Astonishing of course. Maybe our young ones should get their training?
Like many things, bareback riding is a skill best learned when young. Anyone can ride a horse with a saddle, stirrups, bit and bridle -- but to ride bareback and with minimal devices for controlling the horse is a real skill. Not impossible, and with dedication to the task it is achievable. The North American Indians being a case in point.
I appreciate that Dan resisted the urge to tell a more definite version of the story about the Botai people riding horses (which would be popular with the website) and instead gave us the truth: that it's not really known yet. Lots of respect for that
Another intriguing piece of content. As we’ve come to expect from this channel. Your commitment to bringing us the latest research, in a form digestible to the interested layperson, is much appreciated. Thank you!
So much better than anything on TV channels . All they seem to want to do is make a film about the presenter or presenters as often there are several covering the same topic and taking it in turn to speak one sentence each and presumably getting paid handsomely for their efforts
I owned horses in my lifetime, and I believe it's genetic....every modern human is drawn to something - may it be art, dance or music - which connects him to his ancestors.... I call it "ancestral memory" and everyone on the planet owns it
I believe people are drawn to whatever is available to them in their culture in their early years . Hence modern peoples attraction to cars football TV soaps and computer games
I have concluded that if someone is doing something excellent there is a common ingredient. Love. Mister D loves ancient history and telling stories and loves science and learng new things and inspiring people.
Excellent, as always, Dan! It's interesting that only two days ago I watched a video on the Crecganford RUclips channel about a common myth across many ancient cultures that involved horses, dogs, and humans. The myth basically says that the Creator was making the first man from clay. He was busy on something else as well, so he left a dog to guard the clay figure. The dog had no fur. In those days horses had wings. One flew down, worried that if humans were created, they would hunt and kill horses. The dog was supposed to guard the clay figure, but the horse tricked him by offering him a fur coat. The horse tried to trample the clay figure, but as he tried, the Creator returned. The horse only managed to make a hoof print in the belly of the clay figure. This is why humans have a navel. After this, the Creator removed the wings of all the horses, and allowed the dog to keep his fur coat, so that he could always guard humans. This is why the dog is "Man's best friend". Also, many later stories, influenced by the ancient myth of the horse as the antagonist against humans, treated the horse as evil. It makes me think that wild horses must have seemed like they could fly, because they were so fast and intelligent. It seems that the Botai people had managed to "remove the wings" of the horses, and were helped by dogs. Sometimes myth and archaeology match.
I can't remember if I heard this somewhere, made this connection on my own, or if someone I personally know made the connection, but right the image/idea I have in mind about how the Botai culture got on with horses is basically like the modern Sami people with reindeer. Or rather, a more primitive (for lack of a better term) version thereof. Reindeer are still semi domesticated today (unless I'm mistaken) but they do exist in managed herds, and are sometimes ridden or harnessed to pull sleds/carts. So I think that at least later on, the Botai culture probably managed herds of semi domesticated horses (perhaps somewhere between tame and "in the process of domestication") and maybe rode the more docile members of their managed herds, perhaps even to aid in the hunting of the truly wild population. I'm not sure there's a reliable way to prove something like this tho. But I am glad that new techniques and technologies are actively being developed to try to answer questions like this! Thanks for covering this interesting topic
I have caught, trained, and ridden American Mustangs in my youth. The thought of being faced with catching them or hunting them on foot is pretty daunting. Especially on a regular basis.
Another wonderful historical coverage video about (Botai culture is that it lived in the central area of Asia ... their relationship to demostic and wild horses 🐎 ...this magnificent work shared by an excellent (Dan Davis history) channel
@22:10. Cool, I saw that Egyptian shield shaped rock at the National Gallery of Victoria last week. It was half as tall as me! On loan from the British Museum.
Young foals imprint, or bond to whoever finds them abandoned very quickly and wild horses abandon their foals for several reasons. I assume this would make domesticating them a bit easier than other wild things
Thank you for using the words assumed and interpreted, this allows me to listen calmly lol since we weren't alive during this time and interpret and assume are the only things we can actually do
I like how the Samoyed is used as the example of Botai canines. A truly ancient breed (one of the oldest it is said). The Samoyeds seem to have been bred as hunting dogs,, herders, and hearth and home companionship. It's not a big stretch to think of sammies being used to hunt and herd the early Przewalski's horses.
0:41 "For centuries, generation after generation lived on almost nothing but horsemeat" - IKEA would be proud of them! - Sorry, I know it's a silly joke, but I really wanted to make it, and I didn't have the opportunity until this...
I wonder if the horse culture of the Central Asian Steppes is passed down through the generations. I truly believe that behavior is passed down generationally. The Scythians and the Mongols are just two of many cultures who's success was powered by the horse. Great video. Edited to say that if you've ever been in close proximity to wild horses, such as or in the American West, you'll know how difficult it is to even get close to them. They're smart, work together, incredibly fast, and can be aggressive if threatened. When there are this many bones in such close proximity to one another, the assumption that the horses had been domesticated is entirely reasonable.
You can get close to feral horses. I often do. Kneel down near the herd, focus on the ground ( a rock, a plant, a piece of broken glass, a stick), be still and they will get around you to protect you. They do this for each other too. I have looked up after 10 minutes or so and been face to face with them. They spit out sugar cubes I brought them and went back to eating their scrub brush. Once trust has developed, they may let you rub their ears and or muzzle. If they recognize me, they sometimes run up to me. I once came across TWIN new borns, about a day old when out hiking. The mother allowed me to get about 10 yards away and did not freak out. One twin would nurse while the other stared at me. Then, they traded jobs after a while. I did not have to kneel down that time. They seemed to trust me. I can sense their energy and look forward to that experience with them.
Highly unlikely. The Scythians were in Iron age people 3000 years after the botai. The horses we have now all descended from horses that the yamaya domesticated. The horses that the botai hunted have gone extinct
Great video, and great story telling. Such a fascinating period of history/prehistory. Thank you for bringing this odd and interesting culture into my imagination. Much appreciated.
Love the video and this content. Have you ever planned on making a video about the Natufian culture? They are perhaps the most interesting of them all.
Do we have any evidence of the fermentation of horse milk, as was later practised across the Steppe? The consumption of fermented horse milk alcohol may have been a suitable bonding exercise for celebrating in the 'plazas' described by the archaeologists.
Wonderful work! I could add something too, though it might be amateur-ish, but I guess Syntashta and Botai cultures could possibly be same folks, just migrating along the steppe and dealing with local game during several generations and changing climatic conditions
I thought I read that the early Botai used wild animals, but later the pressures of hunting limited the availability of horses, so they THEN had to start domestication… …but again I also “THOUGHT” I read late Botai managed/domesticated horses, but did not ever ride them… …is the prospects of Botai horse domestication new info? My readings were about 10 years ago…. BTW; I appreciate, and will follow up your resources…. Thanks for providing them.
Great video as always. But must admit, hearing afanasievo being mentioned makes me hope an episode about this culture/people is on your to do list. Might be one of the furthest eastward migrations made (not counting contiguous empires), and one of the last of significance of this kind maybe. Later waves would almost always go the other way.
How is it that you are able to research and present about cultures Ive never heard of but always imagined must have existed back in the murky depths of time
Having horses to pull small sledges or wagons would be a large advantage over dogs doing the same. Having these horses to pull heavy things like logs would be very helpful.
Cows can be friendly creatures, not that it takes away his argument (I very much agree with his analogy) There are riding cows, ride them like a horse, just they move at a slower pace than a horse. I used to work with a woman who had a drasage cow (it started as a joke about her training ability). I've seen cows compete in jumping competitions. Brazil has some poliece patroll on water buffalo (I'm counting that as a cow).
One thing I can share with others is a the posdible reason for the dog burial being common on the western side of the settlement. I lived on a farm in the mountains and I burned an old loyal working dog a sheepdog birder collie in his faveroute evening vantage point which just happenes to looking west from my family home, he had a big rock there to look out from and he used to dig a hole nearby to lie out in winter even though he has a house he chose that spot so I buried him there. Oerhaps this might just be coincidence ir it nay be common for Digs to choose weetern sude vantage points for evening vigilance who knows.
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Thanks so much for watching - please hit like and do share the video on social media and with your friends and family, it really helps me enormously. You guys are the best, I appreciate your help very much.
Dan Davis giving me something great to listen to, watch, and think about while I make breakfast. Never a bad video, nothibg I won't click on immediately.
Dan Davis, can you please do a video about the ancestors of modern Eastern Asian peoples?
horsepox: thats what happens to a monoculture
Even today, populations, often towns or cities, have run into economic problems by putting all of their eggs in one basket (industry). Detroit, for instance, spent 50 years focused on automaking to the exclusion of developing other industries. When competition from Japan came, Detroit couldn't sustain its economic leadership and overall life quality in the city collapsed, becoming crime ridden, rife with violence and impoverished. I was born and raised their, witnessing much of the downtown, which began before I was born.
What race were these people exactly and who are their modern descendents?
I love Dan Davis’ videos because they don’t have a sense of academic pretension or fear of retribution in case of an error. They instill a sense of wonder and a deep yearning for knowledge in the viewer, and they bring what can easily feel like distant peoples and cultures to life in a way that is truly wonderful. Dan, if you see this comment, thank you for sharing all the amazing information and stories that you do with us; we truly appreciate it
Thank you so much 🙏
Exactly, it's great storytelling, not just dry facts. And I love the accompanying visuals (especially in this one - horsies! yey!).
This kind of stuff really helps me avoid the synaptic pruning that occurs to most people once they finish school. Thanks for helping me stay smarter than a 5th grader.
This
It’s grifter trash
YT actually told me about this one. Clicked immediately! I've been turning wrenches for close to 20 years now. But when my customers ask me what else I would be doing, i always say archeology & anthropology. They're always genuinely confused. Anyways, I always enjoy your content and story telling. Thank you.
Everything he has posted is excellent. My boy is a talented story teller and teacher and knows what he doesn't know and happily gives his opinion on a theory. You would probably like the fall of civilizations, another fine production.
Mundane job, interesting hobby!
Me too.
Dan Davis and North 02 do amazing work keeping up with the journals.
You really want to have fun- consider taking a vacation close to a dig. They LOVE real world wrenches. You can get room and board trading your skill.
I remember pulling spark plug out of an old merc outboard and cleaning the plug with a lighter. You would have thought i was a magician...
@stripeytawney822 north 02 is a good name drop... glad to see him being promoted... for such a young guy he does amazing work... for anyone really... but especially someone just starting out
Yep!! 06 Electician (techie).. gotta make a living..
Archeology, anthropology, paleontology and geology.. among other subjects, have always been interests.
We can't specialize in everthing..
Be Well!! 😃
@@stripeytawney822when I was a Helpdesk tech, I had lawyers, engineers, accountants and other professionals asking "how do you know this stuff?"
We all have our forte.. a scientist can't commute without a mechanic.. nor can they telecommute without a "techie"...
There is nothing "mundane" about being a skilled professional in your field.
I do however, think you gave great advice about taking the opportunity to partake in your "outside" interests..
They could use the help and a great chance to learn more and be involved in something you feel is special and cool!!
Be Well!! 😃
The possibility that the Przewalski horses are just the long-free ferals of the Botai culture blew my mind when I first heard of it. Shows how few certainties there are even in the ancient past, or at least how we understand that past.
Makes me even prouder that my country keeps the studbook and plays an active role in the survival of these animals with a very successful re-introduction program. It's a shame we weren't able to do the same with the native tarpan horse. At least the rewilding efforts with moor ponies are well on their way all over Europe.
A paleontologist friend of mine who specializes in horse (& camel) evolution says they're domesticated which honestly blew my mind when I first heard that. They've been "feral" so long though I don't think we can call them domesticated anymore
@@platedlizardamerican camels are the best! Same with the original american horse
Them injuns killed them all and ate them. Well thats what covid vax science cult says
It's an interesting conjecture. If the Przewalski horses are indeed descended from domesticated (or feral) Botai horses, then it sets the stage for the Mongolians to domesticate them once they spread that far east.
Hard to prove, given the (according to Dan) sketchy evidence, but nevertheless feasible.
Lots of false information here.
Przewalski horses are incapable of holding weight on their back. They do not have the bone density and muscle mass that domestic horses have. It’s more likely that through their travels that they accumulated horses from South Asia. The guy who did this video clearly has no clue about equine and their genetics.
Well-researched, well-composed, and aesthetically pleasing, I like your videos even better than your books. Finding this much resources on such an obscure topic must have required a great deal of effort. Hats off to you!
Your humility as you reach the edges of your own knowledge of archaeogenetics is an absolute credit to you as a creator. We dont hear people point that out often enough - it should be more normalised, in exactly the way you did it
Thank you. It's the molecular science stuff in the pottery sherd studies and horse osteology studies that you have to be an expert in to assess whether it's good science or not. Very specialist fields so when they have back and forth debates in publications, one expert saying the science isn't good and a responder saying "yes it is" then as a layman it's not really possible to even have your own opinion other than going by vibes.
@@DanDavisHistory it's just as compelling for us as your audience to hear you report the controversy. So much of this is mystery - you've always had a talent for presenting the possibilities and letting us enjoy each one in turn.
you have no idea how much this vid made my day. im a farrier, i do this to live closer to my ancestors. i have been saying it for years theres missing info on the domestication of horses and we will find it in the step hunters/herders before the yamnaya and look at that there it is!!! i will ask people who float horse teeth on their opinions on the teeth wear patterns. i am so excited to hear more about this discovery in the future. finally proof that pushes the date back! As horses changed due to domestication so did tack and horsemanship one group the numidians, had an older style of horsemanship that they imported from anatolia. i believe it is a good historical account to use as reference to how early horsemanship would have looked like, likely not to dissimilar to the botai despite the thousands of years.
Cheers fellow farrier!
I've studied history, pre-history, archeology, and anthropology about all my life, and I've never seen anything close to the quality that Dan Davis puts out. There's something tremendously satisfying in learning about very early European life, honestly. Usually, when we think about European archeology, it's focused around far more modern stuff, especially in the British Isles. There's never mention of these Tribes like the Botai or what they contributed to the grand story! To think that they might have been the first horsemen is pretty amazing.
Exactly! I feel like I need to start my post graduate research all over again.
Botai were not Europeans. They were the ancestors of monstrous Mongolian Sods and Rotters.
@@busterbiloxi3833 And that's part of the European continent. Reign your racism in a bit so you can appreciate the beauty of the world.
Dan Davis, Pete Kelly, and Paul Cooper are doing what The History Channel constantly fails to do.
Completely agree.
All three are excellent. And I am a bitch when it comes to writing.
You are a genius.
PBS (Nova) actually attempted this subject several years ago. However at that time they bought heavily into the theory that horses with worn teeth meant some ancient alien domestication of horses.
As Dan pointed out, the theory of teeth wear proving domestication has since been heavily criticized. Good for him for telling both sides of this debate.
@@tomkinstle1925this made me chuckle.
History Channel died when Ice Road Truckers was born
Paul Cooper is an amazing content creator ❤ no ads and long-form content. a true legend.
Thank you for that, Mr Davis. I've been living on a Welsh mountain with a herd of (as good as) feral horses for neighbours for the past year. The brood mares are brought in once a year to ween off the foals then released back onto the mountain, all unbroken, no other routine contact - their owner wants them in to ween now but they just have to wait for the grass to get scarce on the moor, open a gate into a field and wait for them to find it and go in of their own accord, there's no way of herding them.
About 4 months ago I started working to tame one of this year's colts, everyday I go and spend anything from an hour to 5 or 6 hours with him and the herd. It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I eventually struck upon the simple method of grazing alongside him, after he had got used to my presence, and feeding him little bunches of grass every minute or two. I coached him through a fight then challenged him myself, that was the day he decided I was worth knowing and eventually allowed me to put my hand on him, I felt like a King that day. I keep guard while he snoozes when I'm there now and now he's at the point of lying flat on his side and letting me massage him all over. I must admit I'm proud of that, the owners of the herd can't quite believe it.
I am considering training him to ride bear-back because a saddle is hassle and I want to be free to ride him often, without messing around. I am now wondering about simply using a rope instead of a bit, as mentioned here.
What's my point? None really, other than I am, like the Batai, absolutely horse obsessed, I live and breathe horses today, I am part of a herd, I think I can say that with confidence. Maybe I can just say one thing... I suspect the batai were very, very happy people, because there are no sages so authentic as a herd of horses, they teach you to slow down, teach you to be peaceful, teach you to guard your friends and to love with a passion unrivalled. Aye.
They say man's best friend is the dog... I strongly disagree today, it is the horse... and it occurs to me now what a terrible loss it was when these majestic companions of ours were relegated to the sports fields.
One thing I learned last week, or finally confirmed, a horse's mood changes with the wind. When it is still he is sociable and calm, when windy he will rail at the slightest disturbance and must be left alone. A horse runs like the wind, in more ways than one.
I’ve never told this story about wild horses in SW Colorado. I took a job on 400 acres for a season it was an amazing experience with nature in that part of America. No electricity no running water. I lived in a yurt. Greatest living experience of my life not in a tent. I went on a 48 day survival retreat on my own in the mountains after my job was over to give context to how this story changed my life. I came across a group of wild horses 13 to be exact while walking the property my 3rd day. I watched in amazement for 3 hours without any real knowledge of wild horses I did and do know something Very important about wildlife I’m almost always going to be the real intruder in the wilderness. I was able to get about 50 yards from them and I sat let them smell me and did nothing but sit. It became an everyday experience that brought them to my yurt to drink rain caught water out of a troth I built. I started storing water for them used hand pumps and watered them down in the July heat was absolutely life altering. I made friends with them never touched a single one didn’t feel the need to. Did have them let me come sit with them or even nap by them and I mean right next to them anywhere on that property it was like having friends everywhere. I watched them fight and even run 1 out of the herd and not once did they ever show me anything but this beautiful little look every once in a while. Communication was there the males never wanted me to be to close when they were attempting to do their thing so they would give a little head angled down and snort with an almost empty gaze ( lost in lust look) so I knew what they were doing and why would I want to be around for that. In the end there were 15 by the time I left and I witnessed one birth from about 5 feet away I will always love them beyond anything I could have imagined was possible. Your second paragraph is what makes me tell this story so thank you so very much for sharing your story from Welsh ✌🏼 horses connecting people without riding them ! Best of luck to you.
@ And to you good fellow, and yes... funny isn't, nothing compares to the peace of the herd.
My lad was taken off the mountain and weened last week, I've been going to see him everyday since and have begun training him now, he is, without a doubt, my best friend, the most beautiful friend. Sometimes I wake up and I can just see the little fellow in my minds eye there waiting for me to arrive and it leaves me feeling so perfectly blissful, so lucky to have met him and his family... aye, the perfect friend, perfectly honest, quiet, loyal... and, moreover, the kind of friend who quietly reflects, without any criticism, my flaws back to me so I can work on myself. Aye.
I've arranged to buy him now - he's to be sold one way or another. I can't wait for the day that we ride out together across the mountains... and I'll be sure the first place we visit when we leave the little paddock where we're going to live together now is the moor atop the mountain so I can hop off his back and sit beside him as he grazes on his home turf a while. Aye, that will be a fine day.
I'm going to release a film here this week hopefully that I made over the past 6 or 7 months, the horses are the stars of the film and towards the end I have created a sequence showing my friendship with good Arthur (the dependable) develop from our first encounter to today. I think you might enjoy it.
All the best to ye, I hope you might find a way to continue your experience with your herd... I have decided that there is no life, for me, that offers such bliss as that alongside Arthur... why would I rush around on wheels with a cold metal engine as company when I can walk steady and enjoy the view with my best friend?
🐎
[typo]
Really impressed that you were able to draw on a June 2024 paper to use it in a video on these people.
Looks like a fascinating culture. I would have to think that they had a whole religion centered around the horse. And the domestication would be incredible if that is what happened.
Riding bareback seems like an accomplishment in itself. I can't believe they would do it without any kind of stirrups.
The American Indians prove that not only bare back riding is possible, but also shooting arrows while hanging / hiding under their horses' neck. Comanche stories are that they could shoot arrows as fast as the revolver while riding. Astonishing of course. Maybe our young ones should get their training?
Like many things, bareback riding is a skill best learned when young. Anyone can ride a horse with a saddle, stirrups, bit and bridle -- but to ride bareback and with minimal devices for controlling the horse is a real skill. Not impossible, and with dedication to the task it is achievable. The North American Indians being a case in point.
Clearly,Ayla ("Clan of the Cave Bear" fiction) was a big influence.
But you need to breed big enough horses before you can think about riding them. I go with the milk-and-meat theory
I’m already hyped to watch this after my shift is over!
Great Work as always, the ambience turned out great.
Im watching while working 👍
I appreciate that Dan resisted the urge to tell a more definite version of the story about the Botai people riding horses (which would be popular with the website) and instead gave us the truth: that it's not really known yet. Lots of respect for that
Another intriguing piece of content. As we’ve come to expect from this channel.
Your commitment to bringing us the latest research, in a form digestible to the interested layperson, is much appreciated.
Thank you!
What a Glorious Day
So much better than anything on TV channels . All they seem to want to do is make a film about the presenter or presenters as often there are several covering the same topic and taking it in turn to speak one sentence each and presumably getting paid handsomely for their efforts
I owned horses in my lifetime, and I believe it's genetic....every modern human is drawn to something - may it be art, dance or music - which connects him to his ancestors.... I call it "ancestral memory" and everyone on the planet owns it
I believe people are drawn to whatever is available to them in their culture in their early years . Hence modern peoples attraction to cars football TV soaps and computer games
My ancestral memory tells me to liberate Constantinople from the vicious occupation of the Turkish Bastards!
After a quick perusal of the comments, I'm looking forward to watching this even more. Love your work. Thanks Mr. Davis.
I have concluded that if someone is doing something excellent there is a common ingredient. Love. Mister D loves ancient history and telling stories and loves science and learng new things and inspiring people.
Excellent, as always, Dan! It's interesting that only two days ago I watched a video on the Crecganford RUclips channel about a common myth across many ancient cultures that involved horses, dogs, and humans. The myth basically says that the Creator was making the first man from clay. He was busy on something else as well, so he left a dog to guard the clay figure. The dog had no fur. In those days horses had wings. One flew down, worried that if humans were created, they would hunt and kill horses. The dog was supposed to guard the clay figure, but the horse tricked him by offering him a fur coat. The horse tried to trample the clay figure, but as he tried, the Creator returned. The horse only managed to make a hoof print in the belly of the clay figure. This is why humans have a navel. After this, the Creator removed the wings of all the horses, and allowed the dog to keep his fur coat, so that he could always guard humans. This is why the dog is "Man's best friend". Also, many later stories, influenced by the ancient myth of the horse as the antagonist against humans, treated the horse as evil. It makes me think that wild horses must have seemed like they could fly, because they were so fast and intelligent. It seems that the Botai people had managed to "remove the wings" of the horses, and were helped by dogs. Sometimes myth and archaeology match.
I love these histories that are of societies that weren't the same ones we always hear about. Fascinating!!
Brilliant, thank you for uploading this for us. Greetings from South Africa!
I can't remember if I heard this somewhere, made this connection on my own, or if someone I personally know made the connection, but right the image/idea I have in mind about how the Botai culture got on with horses is basically like the modern Sami people with reindeer. Or rather, a more primitive (for lack of a better term) version thereof. Reindeer are still semi domesticated today (unless I'm mistaken) but they do exist in managed herds, and are sometimes ridden or harnessed to pull sleds/carts. So I think that at least later on, the Botai culture probably managed herds of semi domesticated horses (perhaps somewhere between tame and "in the process of domestication") and maybe rode the more docile members of their managed herds, perhaps even to aid in the hunting of the truly wild population.
I'm not sure there's a reliable way to prove something like this tho. But I am glad that new techniques and technologies are actively being developed to try to answer questions like this! Thanks for covering this interesting topic
I have caught, trained, and ridden American Mustangs in my youth. The thought of being faced with catching them or hunting them on foot is pretty daunting. Especially on a regular basis.
Yes indeed although Botai horses were only about 14 - 15 hands tall.
As always Dan, a truly wonderful and thought provoking video ❤ 👏👏👏 🐴
Enjoyable and informative as ever.
I absolutely love this channel!
Another wonderful historical coverage video about (Botai culture is that it lived in the central area of Asia ... their relationship to demostic and wild horses 🐎 ...this magnificent work shared by an excellent (Dan Davis history) channel
Brilliantly interesting and thought provoking. Great pictures. . Thank you.
Thanks dan davis!
That outro describing the different things going on was great
❤ your work!!! Thanks for giving us this knowledge
Excellent work and presentation Dan.
What a wonderful place to live. Horses are extremely important.
@22:10. Cool, I saw that Egyptian shield shaped rock at the National Gallery of Victoria last week. It was half as tall as me! On loan from the British Museum.
The most underrated history channel on RUclips.
Brilliant stuff, as usual!
Young foals imprint, or bond to whoever finds them abandoned very quickly and wild horses abandon their foals for several reasons. I assume this would make domesticating them a bit easier than other wild things
Thank you for using the words assumed and interpreted, this allows me to listen calmly lol since we weren't alive during this time and interpret and assume are the only things we can actually do
Exelant work Danny-boy, keep em coming.
I like how the Samoyed is used as the example of Botai canines. A truly ancient breed (one of the oldest it is said). The Samoyeds seem to have been bred as hunting dogs,, herders, and hearth and home companionship. It's not a big stretch to think of sammies being used to hunt and herd the early Przewalski's horses.
I always love learning about an ancient culture I've never heard of before, great video!
Dan, another incredible video. Is the Gods of Bronze Series ever gonna get a follow-up book?
I could listen to you read processed food ingredients your voice is so soothing
You tell such fascinating stories, I really should start reading your books.
It is amazing how you can make dry science so interesting and captivating. Wonderful & wonder full. Thanks.
0:41 "For centuries, generation after generation lived on almost nothing but horsemeat" - IKEA would be proud of them!
- Sorry, I know it's a silly joke, but I really wanted to make it, and I didn't have the opportunity until this...
😂
Love all the clips of the gorgeous horses ❤
I wonder if the horse culture of the Central Asian Steppes is passed down through the generations. I truly believe that behavior is passed down generationally. The Scythians and the Mongols are just two of many cultures who's success was powered by the horse. Great video.
Edited to say that if you've ever been in close proximity to wild horses, such as or in the American West, you'll know how difficult it is to even get close to them. They're smart, work together, incredibly fast, and can be aggressive if threatened. When there are this many bones in such close proximity to one another, the assumption that the horses had been domesticated is entirely reasonable.
You can get close to feral horses. I often do.
Kneel down near the herd, focus on the ground ( a rock, a plant, a piece of broken glass, a stick), be still and they will get around you to protect you. They do this for each other too.
I have looked up after 10 minutes or so and been face to face with them.
They spit out sugar cubes I brought them and went back to eating their scrub brush. Once trust has developed, they may let you rub their ears and or muzzle. If they recognize me, they sometimes run up to me.
I once came across TWIN new borns, about a day old when out hiking. The mother allowed me to get about 10 yards away and did not freak out. One twin would nurse while the other stared at me. Then, they traded jobs after a while. I did not have to kneel down that time. They seemed to trust me.
I can sense their energy and look forward to that experience with them.
Highly unlikely. The Scythians were in Iron age people 3000 years after the botai. The horses we have now all descended from horses that the yamaya domesticated. The horses that the botai hunted have gone extinct
@@georgemoore2226wow! I guess I cannot live thousand lives to experience everything... ❤
Absolutely fascinating and very beautiful.
Another great video! I just noticed it and I'm listening to it on my 35 minute drive to work. I love all your videos.
Get home, check my phone, there's a new Dan Davis video - rounding the weekend off nicely
they sound like a fascinating culture thanks for covering them
Always a good day when you gift us with a new video!
Tuned in to learn about Hunter-Gatherer Horsemen and all I got was your hype.
Brilliant. Thank you
Outstanding, new nothing of this culture . Quite fascinating!! What a tough and hardy people they must have been!!
Thank you 👏🐴🐎
Amazing video bro. Thank you 🙏
Thank you for sharing.
Great video, and great story telling. Such a fascinating period of history/prehistory. Thank you for bringing this odd and interesting culture into my imagination. Much appreciated.
Awesome! Thank you for this!
Always enjoy your videos, Dan.
Incredible . Thankyou
Love the video and this content. Have you ever planned on making a video about the Natufian culture? They are perhaps the most interesting of them all.
I went on the site last year. Very interesting.
Another very interesting and informative video, thank you
PBS says that humans domesticated marijuana plants before they domesticated any grains. Maybe they needed the pottery to hold their proto dank nugz.
Thanks!
Your videos are events for me now.
I have to point out that Plains Indians adapted to being pushed westward and the introduction of the horse within a few brief, recorded, generations.
The domesticated horse, yes.
Nice, always waiting.
Top tier content as always! 🎉
Another very interesting video about a culture I didn't really know despite being so fascinating.
Thanks mate.
Dan, you make phenomenal videos
This is a Good Day, Mr Davis has been busy !
Do we have any evidence of the fermentation of horse milk, as was later practised across the Steppe? The consumption of fermented horse milk alcohol may have been a suitable bonding exercise for celebrating in the 'plazas' described by the archaeologists.
Excellent work
Damn, that's from my country Kazakhstan. Very nice
Wonderful work! I could add something too, though it might be amateur-ish, but I guess Syntashta and Botai cultures could possibly be same folks, just migrating along the steppe and dealing with local game during several generations and changing climatic conditions
Cheers again thank you
Your description of their relationship with horses reminds me a lot of modern reindeer. They are herded and ridden but also butchered and milked.
Excellent video!
Dziękujemy.
Thank you very much.
So fascinating.
Thank you, I loved it :)
Very, very good made documentary video😮. These old civilizations are very facsinating😊
Yea! Made my day!
Thanks
This is a great video.
I'm waiting for video about early Slavs!❤
I thought I read that the early Botai used wild animals, but later the pressures of hunting limited the availability of horses, so they THEN had to start domestication… …but again I also “THOUGHT” I read late Botai managed/domesticated horses, but did not ever ride them… …is the prospects of Botai horse domestication new info? My readings were about 10 years ago…. BTW; I appreciate, and will follow up your resources…. Thanks for providing them.
Great video as always.
But must admit, hearing afanasievo being mentioned makes me hope an episode about this culture/people is on your to do list.
Might be one of the furthest eastward migrations made (not counting contiguous empires), and one of the last of significance of this kind maybe.
Later waves would almost always go the other way.
They made it to middle modern day mongolia
@@joebidet2050 True, up to the baikal area, with cultural/material influence even further east.
@@Lindgard85 I saw dna report video on chinese emperor wu 600ad
Guy was 6 % white👍💯😆
Kypchak tribe of Kazakhs share same haplogroup branches with a Botai remain.
Also 2 medieval Kipchak samples shares the same R1b branch with Botai14.
How is it that you are able to research and present about cultures Ive never heard of but always imagined must have existed back in the murky depths of time
Having horses to pull small sledges or wagons would be a large advantage over dogs doing the same. Having these horses to pull heavy things like logs would be very helpful.
I love how you show different sides of scientific research. Because rhat's science.
he says sit on the back of friendly cow😂 🐄 but i doubt even a friendly cow would appreciate being sat on😳😅
Cows can be friendly creatures, not that it takes away his argument (I very much agree with his analogy)
There are riding cows, ride them like a horse, just they move at a slower pace than a horse. I used to work with a woman who had a drasage cow (it started as a joke about her training ability). I've seen cows compete in jumping competitions. Brazil has some poliece patroll on water buffalo (I'm counting that as a cow).
One thing I can share with others is a the posdible reason for the dog burial being common on the western side of the settlement. I lived on a farm in the mountains and I burned an old loyal working dog a sheepdog birder collie in his faveroute evening vantage point which just happenes to looking west from my family home, he had a big rock there to look out from and he used to dig a hole nearby to lie out in winter even though he has a house he chose that spot so I buried him there. Oerhaps this might just be coincidence ir it nay be common for Digs to choose weetern sude vantage points for evening vigilance who knows.