Where does archaeological and genetic evidence place the initial domestication of Zebu cattle?
Answer
The Indian subcontinent
The deep roots of Zebu cattle domestication are firmly established in the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological findings combined with genetic evidence strongly suggest that these animals were first brought under systematic human management roughly eight to ten thousand years ago. This timeline positions them as one of the earliest successful domestications involving the wild aurochs, scientifically noted as *Bos primigenius*. Following this foundational event, the Zebus began their expansive, slow migration out of South Asia, eventually reaching Africa and later other parts of the world, carrying with them the adaptations suited for challenging tropical environments.
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