The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective

The history of the introduction and dispersal of village chickens across the African continent is a subject of intense debate and speculation among scholars. Here, we synthesize and summarise the current scientific genetic and nongenetic knowledge in relation to the history of the species on the con...

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Main Authors: Mwacharo, Joram M., Bjornstad, G., Han Jianlin, Hanotte, Olivier H.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33301
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author Mwacharo, Joram M.
Bjornstad, G.
Han Jianlin
Hanotte, Olivier H.
author_browse Bjornstad, G.
Han Jianlin
Hanotte, Olivier H.
Mwacharo, Joram M.
author_facet Mwacharo, Joram M.
Bjornstad, G.
Han Jianlin
Hanotte, Olivier H.
author_sort Mwacharo, Joram M.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The history of the introduction and dispersal of village chickens across the African continent is a subject of intense debate and speculation among scholars. Here, we synthesize and summarise the current scientific genetic and nongenetic knowledge in relation to the history of the species on the continent. Sociocultural, linguistic, archaeological and historic data all suggest a complex history for the species in Africa, characterized by multiple maritime and/or terrestrial introductions over time and several dispersal routes towards and within Africa. Molecular genetics information supports these observations and in addition suggests possible Asian centers of origin for African domestic chickens, including South Asia and Island Southeast Asia. However, both sets of data were until now too limited in their geographic scope, both within Africa and in comparison with chickens from Asia, to unravel the history of the species in detail. We anticipate that further continent-wide studies combining archaeological, ancient and/or modern genetic information may shed new insights on the history of the species. These will contribute to a deeper understanding of the history of trading networks and human interactions within Africa and between African and Asian societies, at the root of the development and expansion of African civilizations.
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spelling CGSpace333012024-08-27T10:36:36Z The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective Mwacharo, Joram M. Bjornstad, G. Han Jianlin Hanotte, Olivier H. poultry livestock The history of the introduction and dispersal of village chickens across the African continent is a subject of intense debate and speculation among scholars. Here, we synthesize and summarise the current scientific genetic and nongenetic knowledge in relation to the history of the species on the continent. Sociocultural, linguistic, archaeological and historic data all suggest a complex history for the species in Africa, characterized by multiple maritime and/or terrestrial introductions over time and several dispersal routes towards and within Africa. Molecular genetics information supports these observations and in addition suggests possible Asian centers of origin for African domestic chickens, including South Asia and Island Southeast Asia. However, both sets of data were until now too limited in their geographic scope, both within Africa and in comparison with chickens from Asia, to unravel the history of the species in detail. We anticipate that further continent-wide studies combining archaeological, ancient and/or modern genetic information may shed new insights on the history of the species. These will contribute to a deeper understanding of the history of trading networks and human interactions within Africa and between African and Asian societies, at the root of the development and expansion of African civilizations. 2013-03 2013-07-08T08:46:22Z 2013-07-08T08:46:22Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33301 en Open Access Springer Mwacharo, J.M., Bjørnstad, G., Han Jianlin and Hanotte, O. 2013. The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective. African Archaeological Review 30(1): 97 - 114
spellingShingle poultry
livestock
Mwacharo, Joram M.
Bjornstad, G.
Han Jianlin
Hanotte, Olivier H.
The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title_full The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title_fullStr The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title_full_unstemmed The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title_short The history of African village chickens: An archaeological and molecular perspective
title_sort history of african village chickens an archaeological and molecular perspective
topic poultry
livestock
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33301
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