It's impossible to pinpoint a single individual who "discovered" milk, as it's not a discovery in the traditional sense. Instead, early humans gradually began utilizing milk from domesticated animals.
The Earliest Evidence of Milk Consumption
Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been consuming animal milk for thousands of years.
- Ancient Pottery: According to Richard Evershed, a biogeochemist at the University of Bristol, his team found traces of milk fats on ancient pottery shards. This evidence dates back almost 9,000 years to modern-day Turkey near the Sea of Marmara. This indicates milk was being processed and likely consumed at that time.
Key Insights
| Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Gradual Process | Milk consumption wasn't a single discovery but rather a gradual adoption as humans domesticated animals. |
| Early Domestication | The domestication of animals like cows, goats, and sheep facilitated access to milk as a food source. |
| Regional Variations | Milk consumption likely developed independently in different parts of the world depending on which animals were domesticated in those regions. |
| Technological Advancements | The development of pottery enabled humans to store and process milk. This led to a wider adoption of milk products in daily diets. |
Understanding the Question
It is important to note, humans did not 'discover' milk. Milk is a naturally occurring substance that was utilized as humans began domesticating animals and processing it for food and drink purposes. The question would be better framed as 'When did humans first use milk for consumption?'
Therefore, while we don’t have an individual “discoverer”, archaeological finds show that milk consumption began around 9,000 years ago.
