Final answer:
The commonly found domesticated animal remains include those of sheep, goats, chickens, horses, dogs, and llamas, which date back to around ten thousand years ago. These animals served various purposes for humans including food, trade, companionship, and cultural artifacts, and have been selectively bred over time for desirable traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commonly Found Domesticated Animal Remains
The rise of agriculture brought with it the domestication of a variety of animals. Some of the common domesticated animals whose remains are frequently found include sheep and goats domesticated in the Near East around ten thousand years ago, chickens in South Asia around eight thousand years ago, horses in central Asia about six thousand years ago, and llamas in Peru dating back to a similar timeframe. In nomadic pastoral societies, domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, llamas, alpacas, and yaks are relied upon for trade commodities like meat, leather, wool, and offspring. Among the earliest domesticates were dogs, serving multiple human needs from companionship to herding and transport. The bone refuse at sites like Çatalhöyük reveals a predominance of wild animal consumption, despite the presence of domestic animals, suggesting a transition period during the Neolithic era. Domesticated animals have also served as cultural artifacts and pets, with genetic modifications through selective breeding to meet societal needs. This includes breeds with neotony, which retain juvenile characteristics. Among the notable domesticated animals, dogs have over 300 distinct breeds, while cows have over 800 recognized breeds worldwide, with domestic cats showing significant changes within just a few thousand years.