Plant Domestication and the Origins of Agriculture in the Ancient Near East

The Agricultural Revolution 10,500 years ago ended millions of years of human existence in small, mobile, egalitarian communities of hunters-gatherers and led to the formation of sedentary communities that produced crops and domesticated livestock. This revolution stimulated the later development of the first urban centers and has had a major impact on the contemporary global economy and nutrition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Agricultural Revolution, which took place approximately 10,500 years ago in the Near East, marked a significant turning point in human history. It brought an end to millions of years of existence in small, mobile, egalitarian communities of hunters and gatherers. This Neolithic transformation led to the formation of sedentary communities that cultivated crops such as wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, and flax. Additionally, these communities domesticated a wide range of livestock, including goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs. These plants and animals continue to play a vital role in the contemporary global economy and nutrition. Moreover, the Agricultural Revolution sparked the subsequent development of the first urban centers.

This comprehensive volume explores the origins and evolution of plant domestication in the Ancient Near East, shedding light on the intricate relationship between humans and nature that characterizes food-producing societies. It demonstrates how the rapid, geographically localized, knowledge-based domestication of plants was a human initiative that ultimately gave rise to Western civilizations and the modern human condition.

The Agricultural Revolution marked a profound shift in human society, as it enabled individuals to settle down and establish permanent settlements. This led to the development of complex social structures, including hierarchies, governments, and trade networks. The cultivation of crops also allowed for the surplus production of food, which enabled the growth of population and the establishment of cities.

The domestication of plants and animals also had significant environmental impacts. It led to the deforestation of vast areas of land, as humans cleared forests to make room for agriculture. This, in turn, contributed to climate change, as the release of carbon dioxide from deforestation increased the greenhouse effect and led to global warming.

However, the Agricultural Revolution also brought about many positive changes. It led to the development of new technologies, such as irrigation systems and crop rotation, which improved crop yields and reduced the risk of famine. It also facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas, as people from different regions interacted and exchanged ideas about agriculture and other aspects of life.

In conclusion, the Agricultural Revolution was a transformative event in human history that marked the beginning of the modern age. It brought about significant changes in social, economic, and environmental aspects of life and paved the way for the development of Western civilizations and the modern human condition. While it had its negative consequences, such as deforestation and climate change, it also brought about many positive changes that continue to shape our world today.

Weight: 752g
Dimension: 184 x 259 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108493642
Edition number: New ed