The vast land of the steppes of Central Asia was a historical witness to the rise of pastoral nomadism. The first historical description of the nomadic peoples of this steppe by ancient Greek historians and geographers Scythians, they clearly recognized that a nomadic culture with a very different lifestyle from the sedentary peoples had emerged in the steppes of Central Asia. How did this lifestyle come to be?
Scholars in the 19th century, influenced by Darwinian and positivist ideas, began to see nomadism as an evolutionary stage in the process of civilization, which evolved from an earlier hunting life, but was less developed than agriculture. However, this idea was later criticized, and it was begun to be believed that animal domestication could be a prerequisite for the domestication of plants and animals. In the oasis environment of Central Asia, the development of agriculture and animal husbandry complemented each other, which also led to the rise of civilization.
Owen Latimore emphasized the importance of the oasis economy to the development of nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. He believes that in an oasis environment, large herbivores caught on the grassland can be kept and fed, and people gradually learn how to use these animals. This provided the basis for the social and economic development of the early nomads.
Lattimore's theory also states that the oasis environment contributes to the combination of animal husbandry and agriculture. The emergence of this mixed economy blurs the lines between farming communities and pastoralist communities, which are somewhat interdependent. This view is supported by archaeological research, such as the Oxus civilization in Central Asia, which is a product of this period.
Between the second millennium BC and the first millennium BC, the development of agro-pastoral areas led to the complementarity of agriculture and animal husbandry. The emergence of a mixed farmer-pastoral economy has gradually separated the inhabitants of oases specializing in livestock breeding from their original environment and become nomadic herders. However, these nomads still maintain close ties with farming communities and rely on agriculture and handicrafts.
In the steppes of Central Asia, the first mixed agro-pastoral communities may have emerged after early horse breeders, whose lifestyles evolved gradually, introducing more mobility and unique grazing strategies. Over time, the cultural horizons of these communities have expanded and their social and economic life has changed significantly.
Horses play a key role in this process, allowing these communities to control more herds and increase their mobility. The domestication of horses not only helped them to be more flexible in nomadism, but also expanded their political and cultural horizons. Although horse breeders in the beginning may still be engaged in agriculture, they played an important role in the selection and breeding of animals.
The exact timeline of this process remains controversial, but the emergence of early horse breeders dates back to the end of the fourth millennium BC. These early horse breeders were already familiar with animal breeding, although they were still engaged in agriculture. The domestication of horses is a long process that requires not only technical knowledge but also close cooperation between humans and animals.
However, the domestication of horses not only affected the culture of nomads, but also had a profound impact on the history and society of the entire steppe region of Central Asia. Early horse breeders were the founders of civilization, and their efforts made the steppes of Central Asia a diverse and fertile region, creating conditions for the development of future generations of nomads and sedentary communities.
In the first millennium BC, the riding of horses became part of nomadic life, and the earliest Scythian cavalry archers appeared in the tenth or ninth century. This marked the rise of nomadism, a way of life that prevailed in the steppes of Central Asia.
In summary, the rise of pastoral nomadism in the steppes of Central Asia is a complex process involving the interplay of environmental, economic, cultural and social factors. The domestication of horses played a key role in this process, allowing nomads to achieve greater mobility and economic specialization. This history bears witness to the pluralism and richness of the steppe region of Central Asia, laying the foundation for the development of civilization for future generations.