Final answer:
Agriculture was independently developed in the Fertile Crescent, Northern China, Mesoamerica, Sub-Saharan Africa, and New Guinea, demonstrating the diverse origins of farming across the globe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Independent Development of Farming Around the World
Throughout history, agriculture has been independently developed in various regions of the world, enabling the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities and the rise of early civilizations. Here are five areas that independently developed farming:
- The Fertile Crescent in the Middle East around 12,000 years ago, with the domestication of wheat, barley, goats, and sheep.
- Northern China by 9,000 years ago, where millet, rice, and beans were cultivated.
- Mesoamerica around 8,000 years ago, leading to the cultivation of crops like maize.
- Sub-Saharan Africa between 5,000 and 4,000 years ago, developing with its own distinct crops.
- The highlands of New Guinea, between 9,000 and 6,000 years ago, where agriculture also took root.
These areas demonstrate the multiple origins of agriculture, with each region adapting farming to their local environments and available crops, leading to the spread of agricultural practices globally.