Evidence of Pigs’ Domestication from Wild Boars in Ancient China

A recent study suggests that pigs were domesticated from wild boars in the Lower Yangtze River region of South China over 8,000 years ago, providing significant insight into the early relationship between humans and domesticated animals. According to the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Dr. Jiajing Wang, an archaeologist at Dartmouth College, the evidence was gathered from two Neolithic sites, Jingtoushan and Kuahuqiao, which date back to 8,300 to 7,000 years ago respectively. This research highlights the dietary habits and behavioral adaptations of early pigs, which were likely drawn to human settlements due to food availability.

The study employed microfossil analysis of dental calculus from 32 pig specimens to assess their diets, revealing that they consumed cooked starchy plants, rice, and even human waste. Dr. Wang noted, 'Pigs are known for their habit of eating human waste, so that is additional evidence that these pigs were probably living with humans or having a very close relationship with them.' This interaction showcases a commensal pathway of domestication, where animals adapted to human lifestyles rather than being actively recruited for domestication.

Historically, the domestication of pigs has been linked to the Neolithic period, coinciding with the transition from foraging to farming. The significance of this study lies in its methodological approach, moving beyond traditional skeletal analysis to investigate the dietary patterns of pigs, which may offer a clearer understanding of their domestication process. The findings suggest that the behavioral changes in pigs, such as reduced aggression and increased tolerance towards humans, preceded physical domestication traits like smaller size and altered dental structures.

Dr. Wang emphasized that the relationship between early humans and pigs was not merely utilitarian. The presence of human parasite eggs within the pigs' dental calculus suggests a complex interaction that may have facilitated the transmission of diseases in early sedentary communities. Moreover, the study aligns with previous research indicating intensive rice cultivation at Kuahuqiao, lending credence to the idea that pigs scavenged from human agricultural practices.

Further analysis revealed that some pig specimens exhibited dental characteristics similar to modern domestic pigs, reinforcing the notion that domestication occurred through gradual adaptation to human environments. As human settlements expanded and generated waste, it created an ecological niche that attracted wild boars, leading to a selection process favoring traits that allowed coexistence with humans.

This research not only sheds light on the domestication of pigs but also highlights the broader implications of human-animal relationships in the development of early agricultural societies. Understanding these dynamics can provide insight into how domestication processes occurred globally and the impact of human activities on wildlife.

The study, titled 'Early evidence for pig domestication (8,000 cal. BP) in the Lower Yangtze, South China,' was co-authored by several researchers and published in the Journal of the National Academy of Sciences on June 10, 2025. As research on ancient domestication continues, further studies will likely explore other species and their relationships with early human communities, potentially reshaping our understanding of human history and its intersection with animal domestication.