Wheat domestication was the foundation of civilisation

The domestication of wheat and barley in the Fertile Crescent marked a pivotal turning point in human history. This region, encompassing parts of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, became the cradle of ag

riculture around 10,000 years ago. This transformative process enabled human societies to shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities, laying the foundation for the rise of the world’s first civilisations, including the Sumerian Civilisation.

The Fertile Crescent’s unique geography and climatic conditions made it the perfect setting for the birth of agriculture. Its climate was characterized by wet winters and dry summers, ideal conditions for growing cereals rich in protein and carbohydrates and a long dry period that facilitates storage for winter consumption. Moreover, the region was home to a variety of wild grasses, particularly emmer wheat and wild barley, which would become the ancestors of domesticated crops. These grasses were relatively easy to harvest and store, offering early humans a stable food supply that encouraged experimentation with cultivation.

One crucial factor behind the domestication of wheat and barley was their edible seeds. These crops provided a reliable source of calories and protein and were capable of being stored for long periods, thus a significant advantage over perishable wild foods like fruits and meat. 

The plants’ self-pollination also helped in their domestication, as it allowed for consistent reproduction and easier selection for desirable traits, such as larger seeds and more yield.

The abundance of rivers, such as the Tigris and Euphrates, played a critical role as well. These water sources not only supplied irrigation for early crops but also deposited nutrient-rich silt, similar to the Nile River in Egypt, that replenished the soil seasonally, making the land highly fertile for farming. The combination of accessible water, fertile soil, and a suitable climate created an environment conducive to the domestication of plants. Of course, safety and security were necessary to safeguard the surplus, which was provided by a strong empire. 

The domestication of wheat and barley fundamentally altered the trajectory of human development. Before this shift, humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on wild plants and animals for survival. While this lifestyle had persisted for hundreds of thousands of years, thus it limited the ability of populations to grow and settle in one place for extended periods of time.

Agriculture offered a solution to these limitations by providing a stable, year-round food supply. Also, a source of food supply that they can be carried along military missions for long periods of time.

Early farmers must have realised that by planting seeds and tending to crops, they could produce far more food than they could gather in the wild. This surplus of food allowed communities to settle in one place and store grain for lean seasons. Over time, this stationary lifestyle led to the development of permanent villages.

The reliable production of wheat and barley also fostered population growth. With food security came the ability to support larger communities, which in turn led to the division of labor. Not everyone had to be directly involved in food production anymore; some individuals could specialise in other tasks, such as tool-making, pottery, politics, defence and construction. This specialisation was a crucial step toward more complex societies.

Among the early civilisations that emerged from this agricultural revolution were the Sumerians, who settled in the southern part of Mesopotamia around 6,000 years ago. The Sumerians were highly dependent on the cultivation of wheat and barley, which provided the caloric foundation of their diet and fueled the growth of their civilisation.

The development of irrigation techniques was one of the Sumerians’ greatest achievements. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers were prone to seasonal flooding, and the Sumerians learned to harness this water through an elaborate system of canals and dikes. This irrigation system allowed them to extend the fertile growing season and cultivate larger quantities of wheat and barley, creating abundant food surpluses.

These surpluses were critical for the development of Sumerian society. With more food than was immediately needed, the Sumerians could store grain for times of drought or poor harvests, ensuring the stability of their cities. Surplus grain also became a form of wealth and a means of trade with neighboring regions. This trade helped the Sumerians acquire other resources that were scarce in Mesopotamia, such as timber, metals, and luxury goods.

Agriculture also influenced the Sumerians' social structure. Control over land and food production became a source of power, leading to the development of a hierarchical society with priests, landowners, and rulers at the top. The management of irrigation systems and grain storage required coordination, giving rise to complex administrative systems, which were some of the earliest forms of government.

Additionally, the Sumerians developed one of the world’s first systems of writing, known as cuneiform, partly as a means of keeping records of agricultural production, laws and trade deals. These written records helped manage the distribution of food and other goods, further supporting the growth of cities and centralized governance.

The domestication of wheat and barley not only shaped the Sumerians' way of life but also had far-reaching effects on the development of other civilizations in the Fertile Crescent and beyond. The successful farming of these grains spread throughout the Middle East and into Europe, Africa and Asia, providing the basis for the growth of numerous cultures.

The agricultural practices pioneered in the Fertile Crescent laid the groundwork for the rise of future civilisations, such as the Akkadians, Babylonians and Assyrians. The importance of wheat and barley persisted for millennia, with these crops continuing to play a central role in the diets, economies, and cultures of people across the world.

In conclusion, the domestication of wheat and barley in the Fertile Crescent was a transformative event in human history. It initiated a profound shift from hunting and gathering to settled agricultural communities, enabling the rise of complex societies like the Sumerians. The food surplus generated by these grains facilitated population growth, animals domestication, specialisation, trade and the development of writing and governance systems. Ultimately, it laid the foundation for the world’s first civilizations and shaped the course of human history for millennia to come.