Assistant Professor of Anthropology Alicia Ventresca Miller was the lead author on a study that connected livestock dairying and the rise of social changes in ancient socieities. Professor Miller worked with researchers from the National University of Mongolia and National Museum of Mongola to analyze human dental records to demonstrate a shift in dairy consumption. By identifying this shift, the researchers could highlight the critical role of livestock such as goat, sheep and cattle in ancient diets and lifestyles. Professor Miller said, "As we push back the dates of the introduction of livestock, we need to rethink the pace of social change, which may occur on much longer timescales,” 

Livestock and dairying led to dramatic social changes in ancient Mongolia, U-M study shows