The Archaeology of Farming Systems

Between 12 000 and 8000 years ago a variety of different farming systems began to appear around the world. The emergence of farming reflects the coevolution of humans and plants, in that both acted to transform the other. Over the millennia more than 300 different plants have been domesticated, of which about 25 are today considered staples. Different plants and techniques appropriate to their cultivation developed at different times and in different places. However, the types of farming systems generally are the same throughout the world. The initial phase involved the harvest of natural stands and basic methods for encouraging the growth of certain plants. This was followed by the preparation of gardens in which a variety of cultigens were grown together (horticulture). These gardens were fallowed for longer periods than they were cultivated. Finally, agricultural production led to a focus on a few cultigens in specially prepared fields that were planted for longer periods than they were left fallow. The final phase involved the intensification of production involving further modifications to these fields by terracing, irrigation, mulching, and other methods of providing the plants with the medium, nutrients, pest control, and water that they needed to thrive. Through the coevolution of people and plants the world’s food supply has increased dramatically through human history.