Answer:
Answer: b) A device that increased the efficiency of plowing and pulling heavy loads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The horse collar, also known as the horse yoke or horse harness, was a technological innovation that revolutionized agricultural production in many regions of the world. It was a device used to harness the power of horses for plowing and pulling heavy loads, allowing farmers to cultivate more land and produce more crops.
The horse collar was first developed in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE and spread to other regions, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It consisted of a wooden or metal frame that was placed around the horse's neck and shoulders, with straps or harnesses that attached to the plow or load. The collar distributed the weight of the plow or load more evenly across the horse's body, reducing the strain on its back and increasing its efficiency.
The horse collar was particularly important in the Andean region, where it was used to cultivate crops on steep terraces. The Waru waru agricultural technique, which involved using the horse collar to pull a plow that was attached to a long, curved stick, allowed farmers to cultivate crops on these steep slopes with greater ease and efficiency. This technique was used to grow crops such as maize, potatoes, and quinoa, which were then used to feed the population.
In addition to its use in agriculture, the horse collar was also used in other industries, such as mining and transportation. In the Andean region, for example, horses were used to transport goods and people over long distances, and the horse collar was used to pull carts and wagons.
Overall, the horse collar was an important technological innovation that increased the efficiency of agricultural production and allowed farmers to cultivate more land and produce more crops. Its use spread to many regions of the world and had a significant impact on the development of civilizations.