November 21, 2016

Earliest Evidence of Turkey Domestication Found in Oaxaca

Field Museum archaeologists have found a cache of intact domesticated turkey eggs used as a ritual offering at 500 CE in Oaxaca. This confirms hypotheses that turkeys were domesticated at that date. The turkey eggs were buried by the Zapotec people. The eggs were placed alongside seven baby turkeys. Their bones were found in the offering. Older turkey bones were found nearby. Turkeys are still important in Zapotec society today for gifts and rituals.
The report is published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Eurekalert has the report here;
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/fm-aeu112116.php

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