Biotech: Agriculture in Ancient Civilizations

By Ja'Krysp-E
  • 9000 BCE

    Fig Trees

    Fig Trees
    Fig trees domesticate and were cultivated in the Near East where they were bred as a source of consumption by ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, such as the Sumerian.
  • Period: 9000 BCE to 8000 BCE

    First Cereal Grains

    Cereal Grains, such as wheat and barley were domesticated and cultivated in the Near East where ancient Mesopotamian civilizations thrived off them, such as the Sumerian. In Asia, rice domesticates and was cultivated by ancient Chinese civilizations.
  • Period: 9000 BCE to 7000 BCE

    Livestock

    Livestock such as chickens, cattle and sheep emerged in Old World civilizations for multiple purposes. This includes, but not limited to providing an excellent supply of meat, eggs, fur, and milk.
  • 8000 BCE

    Potatoes

    Potatoes
    Potatoes were domesticated in the Andes where it became a vital crop for consumption by the Andean civilizations, such as the Inca Empire.
  • Period: 8000 BCE to 5000 BCE

    Beans

    Most beans were domesticated in South America and Central America and would soon have ancient civilizations in the Americas thrive off them.
  • 7000 BCE

    Corn

    Corn
    Corn was dramatically domesticated in Central America, which allowed ancient Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec to thrive by feeding off this crop.
  • 5000 BCE

    Avocado

    Avocado
    Avocado domesticates as a source of consumption for ancient Central American civilizations.
  • 5000 BCE

    Beekeeping

    Beekeeping
    The first organized case of beekeeping occurs in ancient Egypt, where honeybees were kept in artificial hives and eventually would have their honey harvested for multiple purposes. These would includes being a source of consumption, developing medicine, a sealant, and more.
  • Period: 5000 BCE to 3000 BCE

    Cotton

    Cotton domesticates in multiple regions, notably in Southeast Asia, Mesoamerica and Peru. The crop is cultivates for crafting clothes.
  • 4000 BCE

    Chili Peppers

    Chili Peppers
    Chili peppers are domesticated in South America for consumption and develop a crude, yet effective form of tear gas by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.
  • 4000 BCE

    Watermelon

    Watermelon
    Watermelons were domesticated in the Far East as a source of sustenance initially by ancient civilizations local to the area where they existed.
  • 3500 BCE

    Apple

    Apple
    Apples were domesticated in Central Asia and gathered as a source of sustenance by ancient civilizations located there.
  • 3200 BCE

    Grapevine

    Grapevine
    Grapes were domesticated in the Near East as a source of produce for consumption and ritual by ancient civilization such as Egypt and Rome.
  • 3000 BCE

    Soybean

    Soybean
    Soybeans were domesticated in East Asia to become a source of sustenance, most notably by ancient Chinese civilizations.
  • 2600 BCE

    Sunflower

    Sunflower
    Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Mexica (Aztecs), cultivate and domesticated sunflowers for ornamental and nutritional purposes.
  • 2500 BCE

    Sesame

    Sesame
    Ancient Indian civilizations domesticated sesame for nutritional purposes and consumption by extracting oil from them or just consuming the seeds.
  • 1600 BCE

    Cocoa/Chocolate

    Cocoa/Chocolate
    Ancient Mesoamerican societies, such as the Maya, domesticated cocoa for consumption and as a form of currency. A bitter drink made with cocoa was drunken by these societies.
  • 1300

    Vanilla

    Vanilla
    Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Mexica, domesticated vanilla for flavoring and medicinal purposes. They were paid as tribute by the Totonacs to the Mexica as well.