Scientists from the University of Helsinki discovered that humanity first learned to ride horses at least 4,300 years ago. Research published in the journal Science Advances.
Researchers examined more than 217 skeletons from 39 sites. About 150 of them belong to the Yamnaya culture. At least 24 skeletons could have belonged to horse riders, meaning that horseback riding was common as early as 3,000 years ago. Riding is indicated by changes in the skeleton: places of attachment of muscles to the pelvis and thighs, the shape of the articular head of the hip joint, degeneration of the vertebrae due to vertical load and others.
There are six skeletal signs of riding in total. Scientists found a human skeleton with four of the six features in one of the tombs dated to 4300 BC.
Previously, it was believed that horse riding was mastered by representatives of the Yamnaya culture, which made them the first nomads and allowed them to spread their Proto-Indo-European languages to most of Eurasia. The discovery could mean that the development of equestrianism took place a thousand years ago.
It is not yet known why ancient people needed horseback riding: for the convenience of grazing, for war, or simply as a status symbol.