History and economic importance of cattle (Bos taurus L.) in Switzerland from Neolithic to Early Middle Ages.

摘要

In Switzerland, domestic cattle first appeared with the earliest Neolithic settlements (~500 BC). With the gradual deforestation of the landscape due to human exploitation of the environment, cattle were used more intensively and in many ways. There is evidence that cattle were used as draught animals since ca. 3400 BC, and possibly milk was used earlier. The size of domestic cattle gradually decreased from the early Neolithic until the Iron Age. Only with Roman influence were larger animals found. However, after the withdrawal of the Romans, the average size of the cattle decreased again. Archaeo-genetic studies will have to show whether this is due to novel breeding strategies or the importation of breeding stock. First genetic results showed that a female genetic type, which is rare in european breeds, is present in Swiss Evolene cattle in one animal from Romanian times from Augusta Raurica. This may be a sign of the influence of Roman cattle on modern Swiss breeds..