Final answer:
Domestication of plants and animals in the Middle East began around 7000 BCE, with evidence suggesting possible earlier origins. Middle Easterners benefited from domesticated animals like sheep and goats, as well as cultivated crops like barley and wheat, which provided a stable food supply and other resources. The region's contact with other civilizations further contributed to their knowledge and resource utilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evidence for the domestication of plants and animals in the Middle East dates back to about 7000 BCE, but the process may have begun even earlier. People in the region adopted barley and wheat cultivation techniques from the Near East, where agriculture had been practiced for thousands of years. By about 5000 BCE, they were in contact with civilizations in Egypt and Sumer, further expanding their knowledge and resources.
Domesticated plants and animals played a crucial role in the **Middle Easterners'** resource utilization. The cultivation and domestication of a variety of plants and animals provided a stable food supply and other resources for the people in the region, allowing for the development of specialized occupations and the establishment of trade with neighboring groups.
Some animals that were domesticated in the Middle East include **sheep**, **goats**, **chickens**, **horses**, and **llamas**. These domesticated animals provided food, clothing, and transportation, while the cultivation of grains such as **barley** and **wheat** ensured a consistent food supply.