ABSTRACT
The domestication of animals occurred some 10,000 years ago and represented a milestone for the history of human civilization. The origin and sequence of domestication is a hotly debated topic among anthropologists and historians. Richard Bulliet (2005) argues that animals were probably ”rst kept in captivity for use in sacri”cial rites. This practice allowed ancient civilizations to observe which species were tame enough for use as work animals. Animals, notably cattle, provided labor and locomotion when they were harnessed to plows, sledges, and wagons beginning in about 4000 BC. Thus, animal agriculture was indispensable to accelerating the development of crop agriculture. The ªesh and hides of sacri”cial animals were routinely consumed by those in the royal house or the priesthood. Eventually, the habit of having the animals under human control at all times provided a constant and consistent food supply ready at hand. It also thereby created the leisure time necessary to societal progress.
