The symbol of Thanksgiving was domesticated much earlier than previously thought

U.S. Nilgun Salim
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Turkeys, which represent the main course served during the Thanksgiving dinner, a well-known holiday in the United States with a tradition of centuries, were domesticated much earlier than previously thought, according to a study published Monday by Live Science.

According to archaeological evidence discovered in the Oaxaca region of central Mexico, the turkey was consumed in the last 1,500 years of the Zapotec civilization, and these birds were extremely popular, but not as popular as dogs, as mentioned by scientists.

Archaeologists have found remains of turkeys – adults and chicks – and fragments of egg shells in two residential structures dating back from 300 after Christ.

Their location suggests that these birds were grown, multiplied and used in domestic activities, a practice considered regular in this region between 400 and 600 after Christ.

This is the earliest evidence of the domestication of turkeys, suggests co-author of the study Gary Feinman and an archaeologist at the Field Museum in Chicago.

‘People made numerous estimates regarding the domestication of turkeys basing on the presence or absence of bones from archaeological sites. We bring not previously available information, said Feinman.

‘This contributes to the confirmation of the historical information related to the use of turkeys in the area’, added the specialist.

In the Mitla archaeological site, the archeologists uncovered many remains belonging to the three subspecies of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) native of Mexico, some of which are found in areas of the old households where residents deposited trash. Others, however, were found in residential locations that were associated with domestic rites.