Hi, Michael
Point taken!
I was thinking in terms of the c. 710 invasion. However, with the Barb already established in Spain I can see where a lot of Barb blood would end up in the Andalusian. I don't see the Arabian's delicate conformation in the Andalusian, and it would seem the Alan presence in that southernmost locality might add a breeding input. I've not read Bennett's book... yet. I do know that Spanish horses landed in Peru, and I have a conquistador's stirrup from one of the graves of Pizarro's men. (It's bronze and shaped like a shoe.)
On another note, I'm stymied by the mysterious article on the "golden horse" found in Xinjiang. Supposedly the color was ascertained by using DNA. I've never heard of how DNA could isolate the color of a horse's coat... or the hue of a human's eyes. What is most interesting is the golden color, which shows up most prominently within the Akhal-teke. Once again, we have a theoretical link to the Pazyryk breed... if it was a "breed."
After looking at photos of Gansu Province, it seems to be mostly desert and uninhabitable mountains. The Province also has green pastures, but they appear secondary and seasonal. As you mentioned (as did Sima Qian), the Yuezhi horses were "top notch," the best to be had. One obvious reason would be the quality of their feed, alfalfa for instance. In that respect, the geographical flora of Gansu appears inferior. I wouldn't attempt to raise a quality horse in that environment. It looks suitable for breeding small donkeys.
The "2010" study I mentioned above is actually undated but contained a footnote to a 2009 paper. When you examine 500 Gansu skulls and can't find a Europoid one, what might your conclusion be on the socalled "Yuezhi homeland?" I believe we need to look elsewhere. I'm asking, not just Michael, but other RATers who follow this thread-- Any wild suggestions for an alternative location?
Point taken!
I was thinking in terms of the c. 710 invasion. However, with the Barb already established in Spain I can see where a lot of Barb blood would end up in the Andalusian. I don't see the Arabian's delicate conformation in the Andalusian, and it would seem the Alan presence in that southernmost locality might add a breeding input. I've not read Bennett's book... yet. I do know that Spanish horses landed in Peru, and I have a conquistador's stirrup from one of the graves of Pizarro's men. (It's bronze and shaped like a shoe.)
On another note, I'm stymied by the mysterious article on the "golden horse" found in Xinjiang. Supposedly the color was ascertained by using DNA. I've never heard of how DNA could isolate the color of a horse's coat... or the hue of a human's eyes. What is most interesting is the golden color, which shows up most prominently within the Akhal-teke. Once again, we have a theoretical link to the Pazyryk breed... if it was a "breed."
After looking at photos of Gansu Province, it seems to be mostly desert and uninhabitable mountains. The Province also has green pastures, but they appear secondary and seasonal. As you mentioned (as did Sima Qian), the Yuezhi horses were "top notch," the best to be had. One obvious reason would be the quality of their feed, alfalfa for instance. In that respect, the geographical flora of Gansu appears inferior. I wouldn't attempt to raise a quality horse in that environment. It looks suitable for breeding small donkeys.
The "2010" study I mentioned above is actually undated but contained a footnote to a 2009 paper. When you examine 500 Gansu skulls and can't find a Europoid one, what might your conclusion be on the socalled "Yuezhi homeland?" I believe we need to look elsewhere. I'm asking, not just Michael, but other RATers who follow this thread-- Any wild suggestions for an alternative location?
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
