Domestication: The good, the bad & the ugly

Question 1

where was the first sign of domestication in the world?

Answer 1

the Fertile Crescent
-modern day Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria

Question 2

what time period were the first domesticates?

Answer 2

8000-8500BC

Question 3

what were the first domesticates of the Fertile Crescent?

Answer 3

wheat, barley, lentils, sheep and goats
**dogs were first in the world to domesticated though

Question 4

the process of domestication starts with what?

Answer 4

selection of traits through artificial selection

Question 5

define artificial selection

Answer 5

humans select what species live & reproduce

Question 6

Archaeologically how do we see evidence of domestication?

Answer 6

changes in shape or size of plant & animal remains

Question 7

is the assemblage of wild vs domesticated plants and animals always different?

Answer 7

YES

Question 8

what was the reason for domesticating plants?

Answer 8

to grow plants with more & larger edible parts

Question 9

what types of plants were domesticated?

Answer 9

seeds, nuts, fruit, vegetables, legumes, stalks

Question 10

what is the main difference between wild and domesticated grain and how does it affect their reproduction?

Answer 10

WILD: fragile rachis, they can repopulate naturally as their seeds can break and float in the wind easily
DOMESTIC: tough rachis, require humans with equipment to process seed
***cannot reproduce on their own

Question 11

do wild or domesticated grains have larger seeds and a thinner seed coat?

Answer 11

DOMESTIC

Question 12

what is involved in the domestication of animals?

Answer 12

-genetic selection for weight, color, by products (milk, hide, etc)
-humans control feeding, breeding & movement
-eventual morphological changes occur

Question 13

what are the 6 criteria for domesticating animals?

Answer 13

1. Diet
2. Growth Rate
3. Can breed in captivity
4. Pleasant Disposition
5. Unlikely to Panic
6. Social Hierarchy

Question 14

what is found to be archaeological evidence of domesticating animals?

Answer 14

-equipment for animals (harnesses, saddles, plows)
-digging sticks to plant crops
-hoes to break up soil
-ground axes for clearing land
-new tools which were sign of trade

Question 15

what was pottery used for?

Answer 15

food storage/protection, food production (grinding seeds), made cooking easier

Question 16

describe wet vs dry pottery

Answer 16

wet- more plasticity
dry- hard & brittle