Fig. 3: Changing dairy patterns through time in the North Caucasus region.
From: Emergence and intensification of dairying in the Caucasus and Eurasian steppes
a, During the Eneolithic and initial Bronze Age, dairying focused on sheep in the North Caucasus from 4200 bc onwards. b, Sheep dairying continued during the Early Bronze Age among the Maykop, Steppe Maykop and early Yamnaya. c, After 2800 bc, goat and cattle dairying appeared for the first time in the steppe, and diversified dairy economies of sheep, goats and cattle characterize the late Yamnaya, NCC and Catacomb cultures. d, Diversified dairy economies persisted among the post-Catacomb and Lola cultures, but with an increased focus on sheep and goats as environmental conditions declined. e, During the Late Bronze Age, the North Caucasus steppe was largely depopulated, and ca. 1700 bc a centuries-long hiatus began that corresponded to a period of extreme aridity. Dashed line shows the southern extent of depopulation. f, After 1000 bc, post-hiatus groups repopulated the steppe in the Early Iron Age, resuming sheep, goat and cattle milking and also introducing horse milking. Site colours and animal symbols correspond to those in Fig. 1. All tested individuals in the map extent are shown, including those without evidence of milk protein.
