The herd that moves, the first domestic animal, dogs at work in the flock, and the cat that moved in.
Sámi, Nenets and other Arctic peoples herd reindeer for meat, milk, hides and sledge pulling. Genes suggest reindeer were domesticated more than once in northern Eurasia, and the date is still argued. Herded reindeer stay close to wild ones and follow their own seasonal migrations.
Who leads the migration: the herders or the herd?
Dogs came from wolves before any farm animal: ancient genomes show that by 11,000 years ago dogs already formed several distinct lines across Eurasia. They hunted, guarded and later herded the very sheep, goats and cattle in this museum.
Why might the hunters' friend become the herder's partner?
Herding dogs such as the Border Collie gather and drive the flock; guardian dogs such as the Great Pyrenees live with the sheep and drive off wolves and coyotes. Sheepdog trials are a highlight of many fiber festivals.
Why do shepherds keep two very different kinds of dog?
Wildcats came to the first farming villages to hunt the mice in stored grain. A cat buried with a person on Cyprus about 9,500 years ago shows the bond was old; DNA shows today's cats spread from the Near East and Egypt, partly on trading ships that kept them to guard cargo.
Did people domesticate cats, or did cats move in?
Live cameras at farms, sanctuaries and apiaries. Tap to watch here; all cams.
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