yaks

Now, an international study led by researchers at the University of Basel and published in the journal Scientific Reports reveals their secret: Mongolian nomads collected blood from slaughtered animals, presumably for sausage production, in these cauldrons and may have also fermented milk in them, mainly from yaks.

In addition to blood proteins, the cauldrons also contained traces of milk, particularly from domestic cattle and yaks.

"This shows that yaks were domesticated and milked in Mongolia much earlier than previously assumed," notes Wilkin.

Say, for example, three hearty camels for a dozen nervous yaks with a secret fear of heights.

The women whistle and holler at the sheep, goats and yaks to stop them straying from the narrow paths and falling down the mountainside.