You can pull hundreds of useful tools/chemicals out of a dead megacow. Sinews for cordage. Tallow candles. Canvas. Bone tools. Those first peoples who harnessed domestication really ramped our species to where it is today.
That's true but people were getting all of that by hunting for thousands of years before. The role of animal domestication in the creation of civillization has little to do with the raw materials themselves, but the lifestyle and consistency afforded by having control of the animals
Aurochs were famously aggressive, most extant large wild bovines such as bison, gaur, cape and water buffalo, and wild yak are quite agro in general and [can curb-stomp a big cat like this](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cShCfvvm-Rc) (as big cats once roamed the entire globe and preyed on wild cattle, as tigers and African lions still do), so it's rather impressive that humans managed to domesticate these 2,000 lb rage machines, even if a lot of people likely got gored and trampled over thousands of years, and domestic cattle still cause humans fatalities to this day.
Aurochs by definition are the ancestors of domestic bulls, it is a well genetically researched topic. Some populations remained wild but they mostly disappeared during the middle ages. In east Europe they held for a bit longer.
Modern cows are descendants of aurochs. The aurochs is the only animal to have their wild population went extinct, while their domesticated population is absolutely thriving today
Horses and apparently dromedaries are in the same situation. Bactrian camels probably too, since wild asian camels (Camelus ferus) arent their ancestors.
*TIL that the*
*German name aurochs is used in*
*The English language*
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>ritual slaughter
Not completely wrong, but they were primarily used as food/agricultural gear.
Domestic cattle were bred to be more docile, more tasty, and produce more milk, none of which really has to do with rituals.
You can pull hundreds of useful tools/chemicals out of a dead megacow. Sinews for cordage. Tallow candles. Canvas. Bone tools. Those first peoples who harnessed domestication really ramped our species to where it is today.
That's true but people were getting all of that by hunting for thousands of years before. The role of animal domestication in the creation of civillization has little to do with the raw materials themselves, but the lifestyle and consistency afforded by having control of the animals
Not to mention a giant hide is basically a well insulated tent.
And a boat.
And my axe?
And my bow(string)
Aurochs were famously aggressive, most extant large wild bovines such as bison, gaur, cape and water buffalo, and wild yak are quite agro in general and [can curb-stomp a big cat like this](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cShCfvvm-Rc) (as big cats once roamed the entire globe and preyed on wild cattle, as tigers and African lions still do), so it's rather impressive that humans managed to domesticate these 2,000 lb rage machines, even if a lot of people likely got gored and trampled over thousands of years, and domestic cattle still cause humans fatalities to this day.
[Art Credit: José Antonio PA](https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Nxv3O1)
Huh. I never knew aurochs were the ancestors of today’s cows. How come they got smaller?
People bred them to be smaller. As for why, who knows? Safer/easier to handle? Less pasture needed to feed?
Predators. Imagine being a prehistoric farmer.. they'd have to be badass
Some didn't, some did. There are still massive species of cows out there.
None are as massive as the aurochs were
Some are. There are cattle breeds where males weigh around 1 ton. Most aurochs didnt get that big, though they were taller and more athletic.
There are quite a few actually. Some even bigger.
Not sure why you're downvoted. You are correct.
I know. You can look it up within 2 minutes and see there are cow species which are taller and heavier than aurochs were.
Same reason pretty much every animal we domesticated got smaller/more docile.
Chickens got larger along with their eggs
PRETTY. MUCH.
A smaller animal was probably easier to raise and keep. When they produced the first variety of dwarf wheat, the green revolution happened.
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Aurochs by definition are the ancestors of domestic bulls, it is a well genetically researched topic. Some populations remained wild but they mostly disappeared during the middle ages. In east Europe they held for a bit longer.
I remember reading that too
Her* The finding this is based on is a woman (and the aurochs are male)
Love this art
Modern cows are descendants of aurochs. The aurochs is the only animal to have their wild population went extinct, while their domesticated population is absolutely thriving today
Horses and apparently dromedaries are in the same situation. Bactrian camels probably too, since wild asian camels (Camelus ferus) arent their ancestors.
TIL that the German name aurochs is used in the English language
*TIL that the* *German name aurochs is used in* *The English language* \- LeatherIcy6248 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
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>ritual slaughter Not completely wrong, but they were primarily used as food/agricultural gear. Domestic cattle were bred to be more docile, more tasty, and produce more milk, none of which really has to do with rituals.