The Development of Agriculture

By Micalah B

Agriculture has been a big part of societies for a long time throughout history. Just exactly how long? Around 12,000 years ago, agriculture took root, triggering the start of what is known as the "Neolithic Revolution". Traditionally, human lifestyle revolved around hunting and gathering, where they lived a nomadic lifestyle. The transition to agriculture allowed people to settle in one place, forming the very basics of the cities and civilizations we see today. 

Agriculture in these new, settled civilizations began with planting. All around the world, different crops were grown based on the soils that could sustain them. In Mexico, squash cultivation began nearly 10,000 years ago. Rice and millet were traced back to China many years ago, where they found techniques of flood and fire control. Syria saw growth of cereals as long as 9,000 years ago, with the Near East region having traces of barley, wheat and pea growth.

Soon following plant growth, civilizations began to domesticate animals. In a region covering eastern Turkey, Iraq and southwestern Iran known as "the Fertile Crescent", animals began to be farmed. Cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs were kept, grown, impregnated and the process would begin again. This led human civilization further into the "Neolithic Revolution", kickstarting the "Neolithic Revolution".

Human civilization and agriculture has since spiraled from then, and we find ourselves here: in a time period where we still rely heavily on agriculture. As a huge part of our society today, agriculture will remain this prevalent for many years to still come.

https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/development-of-agriculture/