Sheep and goat management in the Early Neolithic in the Zagros region (8000–5000 BC): New zooarchaeological and isotopic evidence from Ganj Dareh, Bestansur and Jarmo

The transition from hunter gathering to farming is one of the most important episodes in history humankind. Considerable evidence indicates that this shift was a slow, complex, highly localized process, which took place multiple places Southwest Asia independently, around 9500 BC. Caprines were arguably first domesticated livestock, brought under human control during process began 9th millennium BC region extending south-eastern Turkey north-western Iran. In research we integrate zooarchaeological analysis with stable isotopic data faunal remains three key Early Neolithic sites Eastern Fertile Crescent: Ganj Dareh (ca. 8000 BC), Bestansur 7800–7000 BC) and Jarmo 7000–5000 BC).While some form goat management seemed have been practiced at Bestansur, based on spherulites, dung shed deciduous teeth, no has found for winter foddering or transhumance practices. At managed, might foddered vertical taken place. Pottery both sheep managed they possibly higher elevations summer months winter. This supported idea already early stages management, humans kept high degree over population.