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Inventions 10,000 BC to 4000 BC

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Key Moments

Two key developments were the building of fixed settlements and the cultivation of certain plants for food. This changed the entire way of life of humans. Fixed settlement and regular food supplies meant that there was more leisure time. Humans could think and specialise. Not everyone had to produce food. Farming could give a food surplus. Some individuals could develop other skills (like making pottery) which they could exchange for food.

The use of fire allowed stone to be replaced by metal. Metals were first extracted from ores over a domestic fire. Metal was easier to mold into required shapes and was stronger. It could also be used for glittering ornamentation.

The first chemists brewed coffee and wine.

The domestication of large animals (the beasts of burden) gave human beings enormous power in agriculture, transport and warfare.

Around 4500 BC, human settlements began to band together into cities and states. Civilisation had begun. This first happened in Mesopotamia. This is a Greek word meaning "between the rivers". The rivers are the Eurphrates and Tigris in the area covering modern day Iraq and also stretching to Syria, western Iran and eastern Turkey. This area is known as "The Cradle of Civilisation".

Other early civilisations also began close to rivers. The little known cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa in the Indus Valley (along the River Indus and its tributaries in modern day Pakistan). The various settlements along the two main waterways in central China: the Yellow River and Yangtse River. The extensive civilisation along the River Nile (Egypt). Of the countries that exist in the modern world, Egypt has been in existance for the longest period followed by China.

The creation of a social hierachy, lead to some individuals becoming leaders and priests. The first kings appeared and religion was formalised. Circumcision was being practiced c4000 BC in Egypt and Greece. The oldest rock-cut tombs date from 4000 BC (Malta).

The first settlers reached the Britsh Isles c4000 BC. They worshipped at circular structures called henges.

Large Animal Domestication

These are the beasts of burden that have increased the power available to humans. Power to move things, power to cultivate larger areas of land, power and mobility in war, power to have abundant meat available.

Of the 200 or so large animals in the world, only the above 14 have ever been domesticated in all of human history. Many small animals have been domesticated (for example, dog, cat, and guinea pig). These smaller animals help humans in a number of ways (protection, pest control, pets) but the large animals give humans power. Their domestication was therefore a key step in the development of humans.

Many factors must combine together for an animal to be capable of being domesticated. Even if a single factor is missing, domestication will not occur. Animals can be cought in the wild and tamed. But only if they can be bred and changed are they considered to be domesticated. Cheetah and elephant are two animals that can be tamed but have never been domesticated.

These are the factors that will allow an animal to be domesticated and all must be present:

• What they eat. Herbivors eat plants. These are easier to obtain than the meat required by carnivores. None of the large carnivores has been domesticated because it would require too much effort and would use too many resources. Animals that eat common plants (like grass) are easier to domesticate and more useful than animals that eat a single type of plant found in limited areas. Koalas, who only eat eucalyptus leaves, are too fussy eaters to be domesticated.

• How quickly they grow. Animals that grow quickly are worth keeping. Long growing periods make animals like gorillas and elephants unsuitable for domestication.

• How they breed. Not all animals can breed in captivity. Some require a mating ritual that is too elaborate to be carried out in a confined area. This excludes animals like cheetah (who require several males to chase a single female over a large area) and vicuña (who require a long and complex mating ritual).

• How they behave. Animals need to be quiet and well behaved around humans if they are to be usefully domesticated. Animals which are unpredictable or attack people are not good candidates. This excludes bears, the African buffalo, zebras, hippopotamus, and elk.

• How they react to danger. When there is danger, some animals seek protection in herds, will stand their ground, and avoid running. These animals are suitable for domestication. Others are nervous, fast and have a tendency to panic. These animals are not suitable for domestication and include deer, antelope (both fast runners), and gazelle (who leap in panic if confined).

• How they socialise. Animals that have a tendency to herd together can be kept in a confined space. If they also have a social hierarchy there will be a dominant member that is the leader. These types of animals are very suitable for domestication. If humans are able to replace the dominant animal member, they can then lead the herd. Sheep can be herded by a shepherd or even a sheepdog. Some animals herd but groups are territorial so can't be mixed together (many deer), some animals herd for part of the year but are territorial at other times (rhinos, and most African antelope), some animals have no dominance hierarchy so do not follow humans (American bighorn sheep), many animals are solitary and do not mix well together (leopard).

The following table looks at the geography of large animal domestication:

From this table, it is clear that Eurasia is blessed with the overwhelming majority of domesticated large animals. The power that this has given Eurasia has led to this continent becoming the world's most powerful.

Eurasia also has the geographical advantage that it spreads East-West. This means that climate zones, being mainly dependent on latitude, vary little along the continent. Plants domesticated in one area can be made to grow along the continent in the same climatic zone. Africa and the Americas, on the other hand, spread North-South through varying climatic zones. This acts as a barrier to the spread of plant domestication. This barrier also deters the spread of people as well as ideas. Any barrier to the spread of ideas slows down the development of knowledge and inventions.

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