Ancient DNA Reveals the Earliest Evidence of Sheep Flocks During the Late Fourth and Third Millennia BC in Southern Iberia

Abstract

The Spanish Merino is one of the most significant sheep breeds globally, not only because of the exceptional quality of its wool but also due to its considerable economic and historical impact. Historical sources indicate that crossbreeding to produce finer, higher-quality wool was already taking place in the south of the Iberian Peninsula during the Roman era. This evidence suggests that individuals with a racial pattern very similar to that of the modern Merino may have already existed on the peninsula. A review of small ruminant herd composition and death/slaughter patterns could provide insight into the type of secondary resource exploitation that may have been prioritised. In the present study, we explore this possibility by examining genomic evidence from the late fourth and third millennia BCE in Southern Iberia. Our aim is to investigate the presence of distinct production systems, differentiating between those aimed primarily at meat use and those focused on secondary products.