Domestication of animals

Definition

Domestication of animals refers to the process by which wild animal species are adapted to human environments through selective breeding and taming for specific purposes such as work, companionship, or food. This transformation not only altered the behaviors and physical traits of these animals but also significantly impacted human societies by enhancing agricultural practices and leading to the development of complex social structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The domestication of animals began around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution, coinciding with the rise of agriculture.
2. Key domesticated animals included dogs, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle, each serving different roles such as hunting partners, sources of food, and labor assistance.
3. The shift from hunting-gathering to settled agricultural societies was significantly influenced by the domestication of animals, leading to food surplus and population growth.
4. Domesticated animals contributed to environmental management practices by helping in plowing fields, transporting goods, and providing manure as fertilizer.
5. The spread of domesticated animal species facilitated trade and cultural exchange among early river valley civilizations, influencing social dynamics and economies.

Review Questions

• How did the domestication of animals influence the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies?
  • The domestication of animals played a crucial role in shifting human societies from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural ones. By domesticating species such as sheep and goats for meat and milk, people could establish reliable food sources. This stability allowed communities to settle in one place, cultivate crops alongside their livestock, and build permanent structures, leading to the development of early civilizations.
• Discuss the impact of domesticated animals on environmental management in early river valley civilizations.
  • Domesticated animals significantly impacted environmental management in early river valley civilizations by assisting with agricultural tasks and improving soil fertility. Animals like oxen were used for plowing fields, making farming more efficient and productive. Additionally, animal manure served as a natural fertilizer, enhancing crop yields while promoting sustainable land use practices within these communities.
• Evaluate the long-term social and economic consequences of animal domestication on the development of early human societies.
  • The long-term consequences of animal domestication were profound for early human societies. It not only bolstered agricultural productivity but also led to the establishment of trade networks based on surplus food and livestock. Social hierarchies emerged as some individuals gained control over animal resources, leading to wealth accumulation. Furthermore, the reliance on domesticated animals influenced cultural practices and lifestyles, shaping identity within these burgeoning societies and laying foundations for future civilizations.

Related terms

Agriculture: The practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.

Sedentism: The practice of living in one place for a long time, often associated with the development of agriculture and domestication of animals.

Selective Breeding: The process of breeding animals with desirable traits to produce offspring that exhibit those traits, enhancing certain characteristics over generations.