Where Do Cows Originate From? Taurine vs. Indicine Lineage

Where do cows originate from? Oh, so you're ready to dive into the natural history of one of humanity’s most important domesticated animals.

Modern domestic cattle—including dairy cows and beef cattle—descend from the now-extinct wild aurochs, large wild animals that once roamed Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Wild Aurochs and Early Domestication

The wild aurochs ( Bos primigenius ) are the wild ancestors of all modern cattle. These animals were once widespread and served as prey animals for early humans.

Archaeological evidence and ancient DNA suggest that early cattle domestication began around 10,000 years ago in the Near East, with a separate event in the Indian subcontinent.

The process led to the emergence of two main lineages: taurine cattle ( Bos taurus ) and indicine cat