"The Mesopotamians had different coloured farm animals 5,000 years ago, and in that regard they were no different to Paris Hilton, who has a pink Chihuahua, or anyone else with animals with unusual coat colours. This study demonstrates that the human penchant for novelty stretches back thousands of years." Research into pig genetics finds that the colourful markings of domesticated swine are due to the aesthetic choices of early farmers.
Image: Jeff Veitch
Image: Jeff Veitch
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3 comments:
This applies to vegetables too!
Carrots were selectively bred to be orange in the 16th century by patriotic Dutch farmers.
The carrot was then adopted as the royal vegetable in honour of the king at the time, William of Orange (1533–84).
Check out the Carrot Museum at:
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/history2.html
I want to know why pigs lost their fur - I guess that was down to farmers too.
Yeah I've seen a few purple carrots in the shops lately. They must be getting back to their roots...
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