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The Origins of Agriculture: After the last Ice Age, the earth began experiencing long dry seasons. These seasons were favorable for annual plants to die off leaving their dormant seeds. These seeds could then be gathered and stored or planted. This enabled hunter-gatherers, like those in the Fertile Crescent, to settle and stay in an area forming small villages.

September, Week 4 Tuesday
First Crops :The first crops to be domesticated were wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, bitter vetch and flax. Perhaps these were the first because they didn't have to change very much to work well for farmers. These plants were all easy to store and grow.

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First Crops: As time passed, man began growing a larger variety of crops. As man became more proficient at farming, surplus food became available. This food could be stored and traded for other items. Soon people began specializing in particular skills within their settlements. Some people farmed and others found other necessary jobs. Surplus food could be used to trade for other products.

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Domesticated Animals: Some of the earliest animals to be domesticated were sheep, goats, cows, and pigs. These animals provided milk, leather, wool, hides, and fertilizer. Animals also helped with work especially ploughing fields.

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Harvesting the Fields : After the seeds have been sown and the plants have matured, farmers must harvest the fields. The fruit or produce of each plant must be separated from the non edible part of the plant. Seeds must be collected so that new fields can be planted in the spring. The produce must be stored so that it will be good until the next crop is harvested.

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