Final answer:
Domestication is the selective breeding of plants and animals for traits beneficial to humans, started in the Neolithic era with species like sheep and goats in the Near East.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Domestication
Domestication is the process by which humans selectively breed plants and animals for particular traits that are advantageous for human use. This process often focuses on characteristics such as docility, strength, the ability to consume readily available food, and swift growth and reproduction. Domestication enabled the cultivation of plants and animals that were more conducive to human survival and societal development.
Process of Domestication
The domestication of animals began over ten thousand years ago with the advent of the Neolithic period. During this time, humans started transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural one, actively fostering the growth of selected species. For instance, in the Near East, sheep and goats were domesticated for their wool, meat, and milk.
Example of Domestication in the Neolithic
One prominent example of a species originally domesticated in the Neolithic period is the sheep, domesticated in the Near East around ten thousand years ago. This domestication provided essential resources such as meat, milk, and wool, which were integral to the development of human civilizations at that time.