What animal was domesticated after the dog? - briefly
The animal domesticated after the dog was the sheep. This occurred approximately 9,000 years ago during the Neolithic period.
What animal was domesticated after the dog? - in detail
The domestication of animals has been a pivotal process in human history, transforming societies and enabling the development of agriculture and civilization. While the dog is widely recognized as the first animal to be domesticated, the subsequent domestication of other species has also significantly impacted human life. The next animal to be domesticated after the dog was the sheep.
Sheep were likely domesticated around 9000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent, a region that includes parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. This period marked the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution, a time when human societies transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The domestication of sheep provided early humans with a reliable source of meat, wool, and milk, which were essential for survival and economic development.
The process of sheep domestication involved selective breeding to enhance desirable traits, such as docility, wool quality, and reproductive efficiency. Over time, these efforts led to the development of various sheep breeds adapted to different environments and human needs. The domestication of sheep also facilitated the development of early textile industries, as wool became a valuable resource for clothing and other textiles.
Following sheep, other animals were gradually domesticated, each contributing uniquely to human societies. The goat was one of the next animals to be domesticated, around the same time as sheep, providing milk, meat, and hides. Cattle, domesticated slightly later, offered additional benefits, including draft power for agriculture and transportation. Pigs, chickens, and horses were also domesticated in subsequent millennia, each playing a crucial part in the development of human civilization.
The domestication of these animals transformed human diets, economies, and social structures. It enabled the establishment of permanent settlements, the development of complex societies, and the advancement of technologies. The interdependence between humans and domesticated animals has been a defining feature of human history, shaping the course of civilization and influencing the development of modern societies. Understanding the sequence and impact of animal domestication provides valuable insights into the evolution of human societies and the interconnectedness of human and animal histories.