Food Origins Ch 1 Introduction early people s food came from what was in their environment hunter gather s food depended on where they lived ex people living near a lake could catch sh people near the ocean could also use it as a food source but this would be more dif cult Agricultural Developments Emmer an early type of wheat farmed in Palestine by 10 000 BCE Einkorn A type of wheat grown in Syria around 9 000 BCE Civilizations that ourished were able to grow wheat or other cereal and vegetable crops were also able to domesticate animals Wheat barley and pulses legumes were cultivated around Jericho Barley cereal grain eaten by humans and animals Taro starchy root vegetable that thrives in tropical climates Manioc Inclusive name for group of related tropical plants native to the western hemisphere that had eshy roots rich in starch Coffee was rst grown in Ethiopia in the 7th c and is still grown there with considerable ceremony from ethiopia coffee was traded to Yemen and made its way around the world Maize sweet potatoes tomatoes and potatoes were brought from the Americas to Europe by Spaniards In uences Determining Diets Geography topography was a geographical factor that in uenced agricultural land use mountainous terrain was inhospitable for early people the rugged terrain made agriculture impossible high elevations also made it hazardous for living Civilizations based on farming developed where the land was fertile enough for good crops to be raised Mesopotamia is where early civilization and agriculture ourished was located in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers Environmental Issues Water adequate moisture but not too much was important for growing crops early people living in rice growing areas did not eat wheat because it did not grow well in such wet conditions Southern China had a very wet tropical climate In arid climates irrigation was required for crops to ourish which necessitated building a functional irrigation system Irrigation systems developed in Mesopotamia around 5 000 BCE so crops could be watered as necessary Growing Conditions temperature was a key determinant of crop success ex oranges and dates did well in the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea but they were unknown to Norsemen whose climate was too severe for citrus and dates to survive Length of the growing season number of days at temperatures warm enough for active growth also determined whether or not a crop could be grown in a particular location Broadening Horizons at several points around the world pockets of rather sophisticated cultures emerged these civilizations began to create riches that sometimes resulted in the exchange of goods trade routes developed ex Silk Road across Asia result unique food and other goods were carried to and from new markets adding variety to foods and avors enjoyed by people over vast distances A Capsule of Cultures and Conquests Early Cultural Sites Egypt controlled land along the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern corner of Africa as far south as Sudan Sumerians came south from Persia Chinese culture was developing and ourishing on the eastern edge of Asia Conquests and Empires Achaemenid Empire empire that extended from the eastern end of the Mediterranean eastward to central Asia then southward to northern India and the Persian Gulf also called the Persian Empire conquered in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great Minoans Mediterranean people who developed a prosperous artistic civilization on Crete that was ended by a tidal wave in 1625 BCE Myceneans Civilization centered on the Greek Peloponnesus that controlled Crete and other Mediterranean islands Hellenistic Greece Ancient Greek civilization that reached its peak of political dominance and cultural in uence from about 323 BCE to 27 BCE Roman Empire Vast empire based in Rome that gradually was formed to cover much of the areas along the Mediterranean coast into Turkey France and England Mongol Empire Barbaric short lived empire ranging southward from central Asia and westward to threaten even Vienna in Europe Mughal Empire Empire in Afghanistan and northern India established by Babur in the 16th century which blended Persian and Indian cultures Western Empires Mayan Incan and Aztec empires were dominant in different areas of the Americas Emerging Trade Routes growth of trade was a natural result of the conquests mentioned above as well as many others around the world Wheat could be transported long distances without spoiling Spanish conquerors aided in the introduction of wheat to North America Central America was the origin of the tomato and sweet potato Coffee originated in Ethiopia Spices offered early traders two particularly outstanding characteristics long shelf life and high market value per volume and weight Today s World Food Scene Populations at risk lack of food is a pervasive problem in some developing countries The Food and Agriculture Organization FAO of the United Nations monitors the food situation around the world on an ongoing basis sometimes the problem is lack of food availability sometimes it is limited access to food Production Distribution Economics weather plays a key role in determining how large a crop will be in a growing season excessive rain can delay planting drought diminishes yield and quality the FAO International Red Cross and various religious groups are actively involved in helping to distribute food and other aid where serious food shortages occur unfortunately food cannot be distributed to those who need it most poverty is a large obstacle to obtaining enough food to eat particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia one approach to helping people improve their incomes in developing countries is microloans Geographic Overview Ch 4 British Isles United Kingdom Also called the UK or the United Kingdom of Great Britain consists of England Wales Scotland and Ireland land is generally suited to agriculture of various types but the elds are rather small due to increases in population Livestock has been a part of the rural scene in the British Isles for centuries cattle are the dominant species in England sheep in Wales Ireland and Scotland sh is also very popular in England History and Culture Feasts of food fancy clothes music and dances were all parts of life in Merry England Food Patterns Breakfast food patterns are somewhat different for the British depending upon whether they are from the upper or working class for years the upper
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