Early horticulture

Definition

Early horticulture refers to the initial phase of plant cultivation by human societies, where people began to grow fruits, vegetables, and other plants in a systematic way. This practice emerged before the advent of full-scale agriculture and was characterized by small-scale gardening and the manipulation of wild plant species for food. It represents a crucial step in the development of agricultural practices and played a significant role in shaping human societies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Early horticulture emerged around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period, coinciding with the end of the last Ice Age.
2. This practice allowed societies to shift from nomadic lifestyles to more sedentary ones, as people could rely on cultivated plants for food.
3. Cultivation during early horticulture often involved selective planting of native species, which laid the groundwork for future agricultural practices.
4. Communities practicing early horticulture developed social structures that included trade, resource management, and division of labor based on plant cultivation.
5. The knowledge gained from early horticulture played a pivotal role in the later development of more intensive agricultural systems that transformed human societies.

Review Questions

• How did early horticulture influence societal structures and lifestyles compared to hunter-gatherer communities?
  • Early horticulture significantly changed societal structures by allowing people to settle in one place rather than constantly moving in search of food. This shift led to the development of larger communities, social hierarchies, and new forms of governance based on resource management. With a reliable food source from cultivated plants, societies could focus on other activities such as trade, craftsmanship, and social organization.
• Discuss the role of selective planting in early horticulture and its impact on future agricultural practices.
  • Selective planting was crucial in early horticulture as it involved choosing specific plants that exhibited desirable traits for cultivation. This practice not only increased food security but also led to the domestication of various species over time. As communities refined their techniques, this knowledge laid the foundation for more advanced agricultural methods, paving the way for larger-scale farming and ultimately transforming human diets and lifestyles.
• Evaluate the significance of early horticulture in the broader context of human development and environmental change.
  • Early horticulture marks a pivotal moment in human development as it represents the transition from hunting and gathering to food production. This shift was not just about agriculture; it led to profound changes in social organization, economic practices, and interactions with the environment. As societies adapted their agricultural practices, they also influenced local ecosystems, which had lasting implications for biodiversity and landscape management, ultimately contributing to significant environmental changes that shaped human history.

Related terms

Domestication: The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use, leading to the development of cultivated crops and livestock.

Slash-and-burn agriculture: A farming method involving cutting and burning plants in a forest or woodland to create a field called a swidden for cultivation.

Agricultural revolution: A significant change in human history that involved the transition from hunting and gathering societies to settled agricultural communities.