Does farming have multiple roots? DNA reveals several communities began growing crops 10,000 years a

dailymail.co.uk ^ | Sarah Griffiths

[BenLurkin]

Now experts believe several genetically distinct Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities living in the region began to grow crops and keep animals 10,000 years ago, before subsequent generations went on to sow the seeds of farming far and wide.

‘It had been widely assumed that these first farmers were from a single, genetically homogeneous population,’ said study author Dr Garrett Hellenthal of University College London (UCL).

‘However, we've found that there were deep genetic differences in these early farming populations, indicating very distinct ancestries.’

A team of researchers examined ancient DNA from four skeletons representing some of the world's first farmers from the Zagros region of Iran – the site of the oldest evidence for farming to date – in a study published today in the journal Science.

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By looking at how ancient and living people share long sections of DNA, the team showed that early farming populations were highly genetically structured, and that some of that structure was preserved as farming, and farmers, spread into neighbouring regions – Europe to the west and southern Asia to the east.

Dr Hellenthal explained: ‘Early farmers from across Europe, and to some extent modern-day Europeans, can trace their DNA to early farmers living in the Aegean, whereas people living in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and India share considerably more long chunks of DNA with early farmers in Iran.

[Conservative4Ever]

The Stone Age equivalent...Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

[FreedomStar3028]

Why did people start farming in different remote areas of the world near/at the same time? That’s the million dollar question.

[Fungi]

Pure speculation. Prove to me humans were even here 10,000 years ago.

[Conservative4Ever]

I’m reading the following book...Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. It pretty much covers your question. I recommend this great read. Why did Europe develop and North America did not? It is a great informative book.

[dfwgator]

James Burke’s “Connections” speculated that civilization began with the invention of the Plow, it was the “trigger” that led to more inventions.

[Interesting Times]

I’m reading the following book...Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. It pretty much covers your question. I recommend this great read. Why did Europe develop and North America did not? It is a great informative book.

Diamond provides some interesting information, but his geographic determinism thesis -- that people succeed or fail base on the natural resources available to them -- is demonstrably untrue.