Tracing the Roots of Chicken Domestication on the Korean Peninsula
Tracing the Roots of Chicken Domestication on the Korean Peninsula
In a ground-breaking study, researchers from Hanyang University ERICA have made significant strides in uncovering the history of chicken domestication on the Korean Peninsula. As chickens and eggs are staple foods in modern Korean diets, understanding their past offers deeper insights into not only Korean food culture but also agriculture and the domestication of animals.
For many years, it has been widely believed that chickens migrated from China to Japan via Korea. Yet, the precise role of Korea in this historical journey has remained largely ambiguous. Now, a team led by Professor Kyungcheol Choy has begun to fill this gap in knowledge. Their research, which utilizes a cutting-edge technique known as Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), has confirmed the management of chickens in Korea dating back approximately 2,000 years during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period.
Advanced Techniques in Archaeology
The research was published online on December 27, 2025, and made available in Volume 69 of the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports on February 1, 2026. This study stands out as the first biomolecular investigation identifying ancient chickens on the Korean Peninsula through ZooMS, a technique capable of analyzing even the tiniest samples of bone. It can differentiate between species using as little as 2 mg of collagen, which is crucial given that many bird bones found at archaeological sites are fragmented and hard to identify.
Professor Choy emphasized the importance of their findings, saying, "In our study, we confirmed the presence of chickens, supported by stable isotope analysis of bone collagen. This analysis also indicated that chickens were being managed by humans during this period."
The advantages of using ZooMS extend beyond the straightforward identification of species to a multi-faceted investigative approach. When combined with radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis, researchers can gather a more comprehensive understanding of livestock management practices in ancient Korea. For instance, elevated nitrogen isotope values in chicken remains suggested that they were actively fed by humans, rather than existing in the wild.
Implications for Agriculture and Biodiversity
Understanding the origins of chicken domestication is paramount, not only for historical inquiry but also for contemporary agricultural practices. By identifying how chickens were domesticated and managed, researchers can engage in discussions about livestock diversity and the preservation of indigenous breeds. These insights feed into larger debates regarding the long-term relationship between agriculture and animal domestication, ultimately assisting in modern food systems and biodiversity research.
Professor Choy elaborated on the broader implications of their study, stating, "The significance of this study extends beyond a single archaeological site. It lays the methodological groundwork for a revised understanding of human-animal interactions across East Asia."
The researchers plan to expand their approach to other Korean sites over the next five to ten years. This comprehensive investigation aims to reconstruct the timeline and pathways through which domestic chickens arrived on the peninsula and subsequently spread to Japan.
This pioneering research serves as a foundational point for institutionalizing biomolecular archaeology practices within Korean zooarchaeology. Such methodologies not only apply to domestic chickens but will also enable questions surrounding ancient human diets, migration patterns, diseases, and even environmental changes to be explored more thoroughly.
In conclusion, this thorough examination of chicken domestication sparked by a few poultry bones not only unravels the ancient narratives of a staple food source but also holds transformative potential for understanding the historical interplay between humans and their domesticated animals in Korea.
Reference
- - Title of original paper: Biomolecular evidence of ancient chickens on the Korean Peninsula: ZooMS analysis of avian remains from the Gungok-ri site, South Korea
- - Journal: Journal of Archaeological Science Reports
- - DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105561
For more information, visit the Hanyang University ERICA website.
Topics Other）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.