History of Food Production

Plants and animals were first domesticated around 12,000 years ago in the Middle East where barley and wheat, peas and lentils were grown, and domestic animals included sheep, goats and cattle (Agriculture). These were followed shortly after by domestic crops in China, MesoAmerica and the Pacific Islands. The development of agriculture changed the way people lived because having the crops grown regularly in one place meant hunter/gatherers no longer had to roam searching for food. They could dwell in one place and grow their food right where they lived. By domesticating animals, they no longer had to hunt wild game, and could breed whatever livestock they needed, again close to home. This led to a more settle way of life, and the development of villages, and other types of settlements. Life began to revolve around tending the crops, and tending the herds, not wandering to find food wherever it could be located.

The growing of food and the raising of herds of animals meant excess food production, and the excess food could be sold or traded for needed goods (Agriculture). This brought the farmers and herders a higher standard of living than they had known as hunter/gatherers. Towns arose, then cities, and land ownership became an important factor in people's lives for on it they could raise crops or herds. Different social classes arose, dependent on level of ownership. Social and technological advances began to develop. Of interest, though, is the fact that the

Related Essays

Food History of Scandinavia .... long haul. That is, the history of food in Scandinavia is in a very real sense a history of food production. Two overarching food .... (2024 8 )

Ethanol from Corn .... fuel ethanol plants are in operation in 20 different states (History 2). Despite increasing use of corn for fuel production in the US, the food price averages .... (1451 6 )

Food Production & Distribution .... an uncertain food supply than ever before in human history estimates range .... can imply the need for a more than proportional intensification in food production. .... (3227 13 )

Why Eurasian Nations Achieved Complexity .... This analysis will discuss Diamond's framework that links geography and history to explain .... with deserts that did not sustain life or food production but also .... (688 3 )

Life and Food in the Caribbean .... a narrative that is as much about history and culture .... of sea eggs it is shown how food helps fuel .... were the product of colonization and the production of crops .... (754 3 )

Category: History - H