In your opinion, the domestication of what animal had the largest impact on humans? I'd have to say horses. We may not see it now, but they helped shape nations.
Horses? Hmm, interesting indeed. But I'd still have to say cattle and chickens, perhaps pigs. The people riding those horses had to have something to eat! Until man settled into communities, and had enough to eat, he didn't need to worry much about riding a horse or working the horse in the fields. Nope, I think it would have to be cattle and chickens. Baron Max
How far did those horseback warriors get without beef to eat? Yes, you can eat horses, but then pretty soon you wouldn't have many to ride! What then? Baron Max
I think one of the problems with your question, Orleander, is the term "largest impact". What's that mean? Yes, you're right that horse-riding warriors were a major conquering force over the world. But then, just plain living was a major impact on humans. And being able to live in large communities came long before man began to ride horses and conquer other nations. And living in large communites meant having available food ....domesticated animals: cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, pigs, etc. provided that necessary food supply. Only then could the warriors mount their trusty steeds and go forth to kill, rape, plunder, pillage and conquer other communties. Baron Max
That's a tough question, there are many good candidates. The horse is a pretty good one, since it contributed to winning armies. But even earlier probably came the dog. Dogs allowed people to hunt prey they never could before, it gave us access to the wolf's considerable senses, along with our weapons. I would also consider the goat, one of the first to be domesticated. It provides meat and milk, and it eats just about anything.
I'm gonna go ahead and over analyze the question. Gonna have to say chickens/cattle. Erm, domestication of 'food' animals. Three words, genetically engineered animals. But thats a whole different discussion on the affects to humans by playing god. ^^ Also getting deeper into it; for all the people who respect nature, those people are truly hurt by seeing/hearing about this destruction of natural life. Because of this, I think these animals have the most affect.
dogs, not only for the direct benefit they provided but also they showed us that animals COULD be domesticated. They are what lead to agriculture and even the domestication of the horse and cow.
While I was making a tongue-in-cheek comment, I seriously do think dogs, but not necessarily because they showed us animals could be domesticated (though this is entirely plausible and logical) but because of the services they provided. Man and dogs quickly made friends and the relationship is completely symbiotic. Dogs provide clean-up and security from strangers; people provide dogs with shelter, food and security. We became the pack for our new best friends. And as companions, we've been friends ever since. A close second for me would be the horse. I wrote a blog article for Anthropology.net a couple of years ago and it was one of my most popular articles. As a result, an anthropologist/artist created a painting which he scanned and sent a copy to me, which I share below. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! In the article above, I discuss an article in the Journal of Archaeological Science by Darcy Morey titled, "burying key evidence: the social bond between dogs and people."
Nope. http://www.slate.com/id/2213121/?GT1=38001 Orly, I like horses. They are magestic animals. But man domesticated dog before he did horses. I also think that more people/families/clans, etc. back in the day owned a dog or dogs than did a horse; thus being more widespread than the horse. The dog also probably stayed at the owner's side more or less wherever the owner could take it, making it closer to the owner than a horse could/would be.
An army travels on its stomach. Domesticated livestock. Horses are a great way of exploring new territories but the bottom line is you need a homestead.
It's Wolf guys - she's asked for the domestication of what animal. The Wolf became the dog. Sorry, but hey I get called out all the time in the technicalities.
not nessarly, the wolf is the most likly but its not the ONLY option which the dog may have come from.
