Domesticated turkeys come from ancient Mexico

According to an international research team, domesticated turkeys originated in ancient Mexico, and the Aztecs and Mayans could have kept the animals not only for eating purposes, but also for to their cultural significance, for sacrifices at various ceremonies.

Researchers studied 55 turkey remains from 300 BC to 1500 BC. The finds came from the middle of today’s Mexico to the northern part of Costa Rica, where pre-Columbian peoples lived as Mayans and Aztecs.
Investigating the DNA of birds, researchers found that European turkeys originated from these Mexican ancestors. (MTI)