The Origins Of Domestication

History Of Domestication It is believed that the first attempt in domestication happens by people in the Mesolithic period (18000 B.C – 9500 B.C). The first livestock that ever been domesticated are sheep, goat, cow and pig. These animals are domesticated around 10000 B.C to 8000 B.C in western Asia (pastoralism). The availability of domesticated animal and livestock increase during the voyages of Christopher Columbus as well the continent of western and eastern hemispheres. This called as the “Columbian Exchange”.

The Term of Domestication Domestication implies to different species of animals as well as plants. It is to tame and to maintain it from its wild nature. It is a fact that not all animal can be tame or domesticated. To achieve domestication, humans unintentionally altered the composite behavior of the animal and control its breeding and living patterns. This process goes on for generations. According to Darwin’s theory, domestication is also viewed as a process of evolution.

Six Criteria of Consideration for Domestication Flexible diet : The tamed animal is willing to consume a wide variety of food and live less on cumulative food. Reasonable fast growth rate: Matures fast than human lifespan that allows breeding intervention and acceptable for caretaking. Ability to bred in captivity: Inability may lead to producing defected offspring. Pleasant disposition: Not aggressive. Calm temperament: Not easily panic. Modifiable social hierarchy: Able to recognize humans as the dominant pack leader.

Cow Wild Auroch Bull Scientific Name : Bos Taurus Originated From: Wild Auroch Bull Time : 8000 B.C – 6000 B.C Location : Southwest of Turkey Wild Auroch, which stood 6 feet tall, altered into smaller stature through poor winter feed, selective breeding and limited grazing area. Cows are prized for their milk, hide, fat, dung and meat. Wild Auroch Bull

Sheep Uriel Sheep Scientific Name :Ovis orientalis aries Originated From : Urial Sheep Time : 9000 B.C – 8000 B.C Place :Levant and Asia Sheep is domesticated for their milk, meat, dung, sinew , bone and wool. Humans chose this animal for its hardiness towards poor grazing land and the endurance of weather all year round. Uriel Sheep

Goat Wild Bezoar goat Scientific Name : Capra aegagrus hircus Originated From : Wild Bezoar goat Time :8000 B.C Place : Zargos Mountains of Iran and Indian Subcontinent. Neolithic farmers kept them for their easy access to milk, meat and dung. Meanwhile, bones and hair were used for construction as well as clothing. Goat hide has been used for storing water and wine. Easy to keep as they will eat almost anything and able to digest any organic substance into nutrients. Wild Bezoar goat

Chicken Scientific Name : G. gallus Domesticus Originated From : Grey jungle fowl Time : 6000 B.C Place : India and Vietnam Humans keep chickens for their meat and eggs. Chickens are domestic animals from Lapita culture, 1st Neolithic culture of Oceania. As in Asia, chickens are kept for ornamental purposes and sport. In ancient Greece, chicken is a prestigious food. Grey jungle fowl

Pig Scientific Name : Sus scrofa Originated From: Wild Boar Time : 9000 B.C Place : Near East, China Pigs are highly adapt to all environments. Pigs can consume anything and reproduction rate is high. The entire animal is edible, produces leather and bristles for brushes at that time. Easy to domesticate because of its flexible diet. Wild Boar

Duck Mallard Duck Scientific Name : Anas platyrhynchos Originated From : Mallard duck and Muscovy duck Time : 4000 B.C Place : China Kept for their meat, eggs and feathers. Some are kept for Foie gras industry. In Asia, ducks are kept as ornamental pets as some breeds tend to have striking crests or plumage. In Vietnam, duck blood is used in Tiet Canh, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Muscovy Duck

Other Breeds of Cow Abondance Gelbvieh Montbeliarde Holstein Salers N’Dama

Other Breeds of Sheep New Zealand’s Merino Awassi lamb Barbados Blackbelly Blackhead Persian Coopworth Lincoln Longwool

Other Breeds of Goat Boer Goat Angora Cashmere La Mancha Toggenburg

Other Breeds of Chicken Dark Cornish Ameraucana Leghorn Bantam Easter Egger

Other Breeds of Pig Pot-bellied pig Berkshire Tamworth Chester white

Other Breeds of Duck Pekin Duck Indian Runner Silver Appleyard Cayuga Saxony