New Books in Anthropology

William T. Taylor, "Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History" (U California Press, 2024)

Sep 29, 2024

William T. Taylor, an author exploring the historical bond between horses and humans, delves into the transformative impact horses have had throughout history. He discusses the archaeological journey in Mongolia, unveiling the evolution of horse studies amid international collaboration. Taylor highlights the intricate connections formed over time, emphasizing horses' roles in globalization and societal changes. By revisiting these relationships through Indigenous insights, he reshapes our understanding of horse histories and their significance in human culture.

01:03:56

Episode guests

William T. Taylor

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Quick takeaways

The relationship between horses and humans, evolving over millions of years, has critically influenced socio-economic development and cultural practices worldwide.

New genomic studies and hybridization of horses have revolutionized transport systems, impacting trade, agriculture, and military strategies throughout history.

Deep dives

The Influence of Horses on Human History

Horses have played a significant role in shaping human history, influencing various aspects of life across cultures. The relationship between humans and horses dates back millions of years, with horses evolving alongside early hominins in a hunter-prey dynamic. This partnership has deeply impacted human societies, manifesting in artwork and cultural practices as well as practical uses like hunting and transportation. Understanding this early connection illuminates how integral horses were to the socio-economic development of civilizations around the globe.

Intro

2min

Unearthing Equine History

10min

Hoof Beats: Organizing Human-Horse Interactions

1min

The Horse-Human Connection: An Evolutionary Journey

6min

Exploring the Complex Bond Between Humans and Horses

2min

Unbridled Impact: The Domestication of Horses

30min

Revisiting Horse Histories with Indigenous Insights

8min

From the Rockies to the Himalayas, the bond between horses and humans has spanned across time and civilizations. In this archaeological journey, William T. Taylor explores how momentous events in the story of humans and horses helped create the world we live in today. Tracing the horse's origins and spread from the western Eurasian steppes to the invention of horse-drawn transportation and the explosive shift to mounted riding, Taylor offers a revolutionary new account of how horses altered the course of human history.

Drawing on Indigenous perspectives, ancient DNA, and new research from Mongolia to the Great Plains and beyond, Taylor guides readers through the major discoveries that have placed the horse at the origins of globalization, trade, biological exchange, and social inequality. Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History (U California Press, 2024) transforms our understanding of both horses and humanity's ancient past and asks us to consider what our relationship with horses means for the future of humanity and the world around us.

Sarah Newman is an archaeologist and Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chicago. Her research explores long-term human-environmental interactions, including questions of waste and reuse, processes of landscape transformation, and relationships between humans and other animals.

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