Neolithic farmers in Britain and Northern Europe are believed to be among the first to milk cows.
While pinning down the exact individual or group to first milk a cow is impossible due to the limitations of archaeological records, evidence points to early agricultural societies in Europe. Archaeological evidence, primarily the analysis of degraded fats found on ancient pottery shards, suggests that these early farmers were utilizing cow's milk as early as 6,000 years ago. This puts the practice of dairying within the Neolithic period.
Here's a breakdown of the key findings:
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Archaeological Evidence: Scientists analyze fatty acids (lipids) preserved in ancient pottery. The specific types of fats found can indicate whether the pottery was used for processing dairy products.
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Geographic Location: The strongest evidence for early dairying comes from sites in Britain and Northern Europe.
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Time Period: The Neolithic period (approximately 10,000 to 4,500 years ago, depending on the region) is when dairying appears to have emerged.
It's important to note that the domestication of cattle predates the practice of milking. Cattle were initially likely used for meat and as draft animals (for pulling plows). The realization that they could also provide milk was a significant development in early agriculture.
While it's tempting to imagine a specific "first milker," the reality is that the practice likely arose gradually within these early farming communities. It would have been a process of experimentation and adaptation as people learned to manage and utilize their livestock more effectively.
Therefore, we can confidently say that Neolithic farmers in Britain and Northern Europe are the most likely candidates for those who first began milking cows on a regular basis for human consumption.
