AGRI 116 1nd Edition Lecture 4 Outline of Last Lecture I. Historical vs. Current Views of Hunter-Gatherer SocietiesII. Theories of How Agriculture StartedIII. Scientific Investigationsa. Archaeological Evidenceb. Anthropological EvidenceIV. SummaryOutline of Current Lecture II. Origins of AgricultureIII. Spread of Agriculturea. Carrying CapacityCurrent LectureOrigins of Agriculture: TheoriesTheory 1: Agriculture is a discovery (Darwin, 1896; Sauer, 1952)o Some “wise old savage” discovered useful plants on dump heap or in nature, and discovered that you could plant, cultivate and harvestito Assumes that agriculture is superior and that it only took insight to develop.Theory 2: Agriculture from crowding (Childe, 1952)o His “propinquity” theory claims that through proximity to each other, and food stress, humans domesticated plants (and animals)o Theory emphasizes “demographic stress”o Assumes that agriculture is superior/ more efficient than gathering (at least is crowded areas).Theory 3: Evolution (Coevolution) (David Rindos)o Hunter-gatherers gradually changed plants through selecting and tending the most desirable ones.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.o Agriculture is not a discovery, but a gradual change from H-G to sedentism to agricultureTheory 4: Agriculture as an extension of gathering (Binford- Flannery, 1968)o Agriculture developed at the edges of permanent settlements (fishing villages)o Assumes agriculture becomes profitable when gathering ability/reward is diminished for certain populations within a system.Theory 5: Need for alcohol (McGovern, 2010, 2013, and others)o Motivation for population sedentism and domestication of crops wasto make an alcoholic beverage of some kindo Assumes that agriculture arose from H-Gs quest for the fermented beverage.Theory 6: Domestication for religious reasons (Hahn, 1896)o Cattle, or chickens, or plants were domesticated for religious purpose (ritual sacrifice, etc.)o Assumes that agriculture is more efficient than gathering Theory 7: “No one theory” theory (Harlan, 1972)o Agriculture developed for different reasons and by different mechanisms in different parts of the globe.o Problem: This does not really answer anything!!Theory 8: Chance, along with food stress (Diamond, 1999)o At the end of the last ice age (ca. 13,000 y.a.), improvements in hunting techniques resulted in a decline in large gameo Assumes that agriculture was more rewarding in comparison to H-G.o Chance plays a huge role in who “wins” and who “loses”o Also assumes that agriculture may have been started many times, but it was only in a few areas where the conditions were right for it to become dominant and then to spread.Large Domesticable Grains:Wheat- Native to western Asia, MediterraneanRice- Native to eastern AsiaMaize/Corn- Native to Meso-AmericaSpread of Agriculture: Theories Theory 1: Demographics (Diamond, 1999)o Populations can rapidly increase in sedentary populationso Stable food supply and storage buffers environmental fluctuationso Can feed more people per km2, but need more labor. o This adds pressure to have more children, increase population.Carrying Capacityo The number of individuals a certain environment can supporto If a population exceeds the carrying capacity, a demographic “crash” can ensueo Most “natural” populations will either limit their own reproduction to meet the availability of food or will be limited by mortality.May have led to emigration of:o Peopleo Agricultural practices (“knowledge of agriculture”)Theory 2: Disease and Disease Resistance (Diamond 1999)o Many “diseases of crowding” originated in domesticated animals and were transferred to humans (zoonotic disease)o Agriculturalists evolved resistance. H-Gs, when exposed, had no resistance.Theory 3: Cultural and Technological developments (Diamond 1999) Sedentary, high-density populations allow for:o Division of labor- tool makers vs. food producerso Time to experiment with ceramics, metals, etc. (technology development)o Emergence of political or religious hierarchieso Standing