Final answer:
There are two theories on why domestication began: one involving humans domesticating themselves and another involving the adoption of agriculture. Major arguments regarding the causes leading to the adoption of agriculture include the end of the last ice age, the availability of certain plants, the domestication of animals, and the development of specialized occupations and trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two theories on why domestication began. One theory suggests that humans domesticated themselves to develop traits suitable for the agricultural lifestyle. Proponents of this theory argue that the adoption of agriculture encouraged humans to select and reproduce traits such as docility and cooperativeness. The fact that modern humans are less aggressive and more cooperative than our ancestors supports this theory.
The second theory focuses on the adoption of agriculture as a means of sustenance. With the agricultural revolution, populations grew and people were able to settle down and build permanent settlements. This theory is supported by the observation that agriculture brought more abundant and reliable food supplies.
The major arguments regarding causes leading to the adoption of agriculture include:
- The end of the last ice age, altered animal migration patterns and may have prompted humans to seek alternative food sources.
- The availability of certain plants that could be reliably grown through deliberate cultivation.
- The domestication of animals, where humans selectively bred and kept herds of animals for food and other resources.
- The development of specialized occupations and trade with local groups.