The early civilizations cultivated cereals in abundance because they were a reliable and nutritious food source, allowing them to meet the expanding population's dietary needs. Additionally, cereal cultivation facilitated food storage and supported the development of sedentary societies.
About 10,000 years ago, humans began to domesticate grains such as wheat and barley. Instead of running around to hunt, they thought: why not grow what we eat right next to us? The first agricultural experiments took place in the region of the Fertile Crescent, an area currently covering the Middle East to Egypt. These grains were ideal because they grew quickly, were easy to harvest, and could be stored for a long time without spoiling. In short, it guaranteed having reserves even in times of hardship. By learning to cultivate these plants, our ancestors became completely sedentary, and this was the starting point of the first civilizations.
In the era of the first civilizations, cereals were vital because they provided calories that were easy to store and thus to preserve throughout the year. This storage allowed for the creation of reserves, essential for surviving periods of drought or poor harvests. Wheat, barley, and rice kept well over time and were easier to store than fresh fruits or vegetables, which spoil quickly. Their abundant cultivation greatly simplified daily meals and provided crucial food stability, reducing the risk of famine. Thanks to this cereal-based diet, peoples remained grouped together, prospered, and even saw their life expectancy gradually increase.
The abundant cultivation of cereals allowed for the generation of the first food surpluses, an essential factor in stopping the daily struggle for survival. This gradually led to the emergence of specialized professions, as not everyone needed to work in the fields anymore. Some became craftsmen, merchants, priests, or even soldiers: this is the birth of an organized society with specific roles. With these organized communities, commercial exchanges multiplied, stimulating the local and even regional economy. Little by little, cereals also became a form of medium of exchange, facilitating bartering and larger-scale trade. These exchanges also led to the emergence of a ruling class that oversees the redistribution and management of harvests, marking the beginnings of a social hierarchy.
Growing cereals allowed for better management of water resources thanks to their deep roots and their ability to grow even in poor soils, thus limiting soil erosion. By taking advantage of these hardy plants, people saved precious resources while naturally enhancing soil fertility for future crops. Economically, cereals could be stored for long periods without spoiling, providing food security throughout the year and reducing famines. It also facilitated trade, as surpluses were perfect for bartering or selling. Ultimately, cereals represented a kind of life insurance, eliminating the need to chase after food every day: less risk, more stability, it was a win on all fronts.
The beginnings of intensive cereal cultivation are mainly due to a few decisive innovations. Firstly, with the appearance of the plow, everything changed: plowing deeply and efficiently allowed for the rapid expansion of arable land. The domestication of the ox and the horse also gave a significant boost: no longer needing to do everything by hand, animal traction enabled longer work on much larger areas. Add to that the development of irrigation, like canals, dikes, and water reservoirs, and you achieve enormous stability for cereal cultivation in regions that are otherwise not easy. Finally, let’s not forget the invention of the granary and the silo; it may not seem like much, but being able to store cereals for a long time without fear significantly changes the game for future food supply.
The selection and progressive improvement of cereals (such as wheat or rice) is one of the earliest documented forms of genetic engineering conducted by humans.
It is proven that fermented grains were used as early as antiquity to produce the first alcoholic beverages such as beer, consumed during religious rituals or as a daily drink.
Some ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, already used sophisticated granaries to store their grains, thus ensuring food security during difficult times such as droughts or floods.
Barley was used by the Sumerians not only as food but also as a medium of exchange and a standard to establish values during commercial transactions.
Yes, cereals were not only a staple food but also a commonly traded or sold commodity between neighboring populations or cities. These exchanges facilitated the development of trade routes, the emergence of specialized commerce, and organized markets.
Intensive grain cultivation allowed for the creation of food surpluses. This surplus could be stored and redistributed, thus freeing part of the population from strictly agricultural tasks to engage in other activities such as trade, craftsmanship, or governance, encouraging the formation of the first villages and cities.
Cereals were generally stored in clay, wooden, or stone granaries designed to protect the harvest from mold, pests, and bad weather. The gradual improvement of storage techniques helped prevent or reduce seasonal famines.
If intensive cereal cultivation favored sedentarization and prosperity, it could nevertheless lead to environmental degradation, particularly a reduction in soil fertility, deforestation, and local ecosystem changes when agricultural practices were not sustainable.
The earliest civilizations primarily cultivated wheat, barley, millet, and rice. These grains effectively met dietary needs due to their reliable yields, ease of storage, and nutritional richness.
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