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7,000-Year-Old Goat Leather DNA Links to Modern Bermeya Breed
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What Happened?
A 7,000-year-old piece of goat leather from a burial cave in southern Spain has revealed genetic links to the modern Bermeya goat breed, suggesting a long lineage in Iberia.
Key points
- The leather was found in Cueva de los Murciélagos, Albuñol, Spain.
- Researchers dated the leather to approximately 7,246 to 7,008 years ago.
- The study was published in PLOS ONE on November 4, 2026.
- Genetic analysis linked the leather to the modern Bermeya goat breed.
- The leather showed signs of processing, including tanning and perforations.
- Human DNA traces were found but could not identify individuals.
Key insights
- The findings may influence understanding of livestock domestication in ancient Iberia.
- Genetic continuity suggests modern breeds may retain traits from ancient populations.
- The study highlights the potential for recovering DNA from ancient organic materials.
Why it matters
This discovery provides insights into ancient livestock management and genetic continuity in goat breeds.
Tags
Entities
Cueva de los Murciélagos· LocationBermeya· BreedPLOS ONE· PublicationJolijn A. M. Erven· PersonUniversity College Dublin· OrganizationDurham University· Organization
Source
Times of India
