The widely held image of American cowboys as rugged, white figures who tamed the Wild West is undergoing a transformation due to groundbreaking research conducted by the Florida Museum of Natural History.

“The Cow Boy” by John C.H. Grabill.

Contrary to the Hollywood portrayals, this study has unearthed compelling evidence suggesting that the first cowboys in the Americas were far more diverse than previously believed, with most of them being enslaved individuals from Mexico and the Caribbean.

Before 1492, there were no cows in the Americas. It was only in the 16th century that these iconic animals, known scientifically as Bos taurus, were introduced to the New World. Christopher Columbus played a significant role in bringing cattle to the Caribbean, particularly on the island of Hispaniola, which encompᴀsses modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The traditional narrative posits that the herds of cows that later multiplied and spread throughout the Americas were primarily descended from European stock, imported from the Spanish-controlled Canary Islands.

However, by analyzing the DNA of 21 cows discovered in Spanish sites in Mexico and Haiti, dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries, scientists have identified a significant departure from the established storyline. While seven of the early samples exhibited genetic connections to European cattle, one specimen found at a site known as Bellas Artes in Mexico has a lineage that can be traced directly to Africa. This suggests that African cattle arrived in the Americas in the early 17th century, challenging previous historical accounts.

A cow tooth specimen found in Bellas Artes in Mexico revealed a lineage rare in Europe. Credit: Nicolas Delsol

Nicolas Delsol, a postdoctoral zooarchaeology specialist and co-author of the study, states that this discovery supports the recent shift in the understanding of slavery history. It underscores the pivotal role played by African enslaved workers in the establishment of cattle ranching. This revelation is particularly significant, as it predates the first recorded instances of African cattle being brought to the Americas by over a century.

As cattle ranching flourished during the 16th century in the Americas, a growing need for skilled ranchers emerged. The Indigenous populations, who had no prior experience with cattle or other European domesticated animals, were not equipped for this task. Historical records indicate that slave traders turned to West Africa to abduct people who possessed knowledge of cattle herding. It’s possible that both cattle and enslaved individuals were taken together, establishing an inseparable link between African herders and cattle in the New World.

Delsol and his colleagues write, “The question of the potential African origin of some colonial cattle is of immense historical significance and has deep social and cultural ramifications, particularly when considering the central role played by African workers in setting up the ranching industry in the colonial Americas.” These findings align with the known aspects of the early Spanish Empire’s organization, the timing of the African slave trade, and the specialized knowledge of enslaved workers in cattle management.

Furthermore, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how European animals and crops transformed ecosystems in the New World. It bridges the historical gap between African and European cattle imports, revealing a fascinating story of globalization. The knowledge that African cattle likely arrived in the Americas much earlier than previously thought challenges the conventional narrative of American cattle herding and the origins of the iconic figure of the cowboy.

The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

More information: Delsol, N., Stucky, B.J., Oswald, J.A. et al. (2023). Ancient DNA confirms diverse origins of early post-Columbian cattle in the Americas. Sci Rep 13, 12444.