Horses originated in America and reached Europe through China, fossil DNA reveals

A new fossil DNA study challenges the long-held belief that horses were introduced to the Americas by Europeans. Researchers found that horses actually originated in North America millions of years ago. The study suggests that an extinct lineage known as the Dalian horse, found in northeastern China, acted as a genetic intermediary. This Dalian horse lineage, which possessed distinctive American ancestry, then passed its genes to ancient horse populations in Siberia. From Siberia, these horses eventually reached Europe. This discovery redefines the historical migration path of horses, indicating an unexpected route from North America to Europe via China.