1. “Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes …”
The Benefits of an
East/West Orientation

2. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
From Guns, Germs and Steel, p 177

3. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Diffusion of:
Plants and Animals:
Agricultural techniques
Other Technologies

4. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Examine Three Regions:
Eurasia (Diffusion from Fertile Crescent)
Africa
The Americas
First, Eurasia …

5. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
From Guns, Germs and Steel, p 177

6. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Reasons for Rapid Diffusion in Eurasia:
Similar growing conditions
Little preemptive domestication
East/West Axis Predominant in Eurasia

7. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Why was East/West Axis Important:
Locations distributed East to West share the same latitude, generally leading to other similarities:
Same day length
Seasonal variations
Rainfall & temperatures
Similar diseases
Types of vegetation

8. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Plants Programmed to Latitudinal Factors
Day length | Seed germination
Seasons | Seedling growth
Climate | Flowering & baring fruit
Same for Animals
Bottom Line: East/West Axis Allowed Easier Diffusion in Eurasia

9. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Africa and Americas had Limited Diffusion due to North-South Orientation
Except for a few animals, the FC package did not arrive in S. Africa until Europeans arrived in 1652
Except for Mexican corn, little diffusion occurred between: US – Mexico – Andes
Note: Evidence of little preemptive diffusion in Africa and Americas

10. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Caveat:
Latitude is not the only factor
Local topography and ecology play a role
North America
FC -> India
FC -> China
FC -> Africa

11. Spacious Skies & Tilted Axes
Extension:
The principle of East/West diffusion applies to agriculture and much more
Wheel (ox carts)
Writing (royal propaganda, food inventories & bureaucratic record keeping)
While not directly related to ag diffusion, technological transfers followed the spread of food production.

13. Assigned Readings Course Reader G G S For Wednesday: Library Tour
For Friday: MID-TERM EXAM
For Next Monday: Course
(at least to p. 78) Reader G G S
Medievil Section pp60-93
By Walburger