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When was the cultivation of demesne land introduced?

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Final answer:

Cultivation of demesne land, associated with the feudal system, was introduced during the Middle Ages, typically recognized from the 5th to the 15th century.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cultivation of demesne land refers to the direct production of crops and goods by the lord of a manor on his own land. The practice of demesne cultivation arose with the feudal system during the Middle Ages, generally recognized as starting from the 5th century with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, through to the 15th century.

While agriculture itself has ancient origins and was established thousands of years prior, demesne farming as a concept was introduced during the feudal era as lords required sustenance for their households and sought economic independence and control over their land.

Research points to humans beginning the domestication of plants and animals about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, which marks the start of settled agricultural communities. However, the particular management of demesne land for the lord's benefit within European feudal systems would not become common until the Middle Ages. This process involved the lord's estate, known as his demesne, being worked on by his serfs or tenants, providing food for the lord's household and sometimes producing a surplus to be sold in local markets.

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