What Human ancestors learned how to what or tame animals?

It's not entirely accurate to say that human ancestors "learned" to tame animals. Instead, it's more accurate to say that human ancestors and animals evolved a symbiotic relationship over time. This relationship was a gradual process that started with opportunism and evolved into domestication.

Here's a breakdown:

* Opportunism: Our ancestors probably started by scavenging leftover food from animal kills or taking advantage of wild animals already trapped in natural traps.

* Symbiosis: Over time, humans and animals started coexisting in ways that benefited both. Humans might have provided protection for animals from predators, while animals provided food, transportation, and companionship.

* Domestication: This was a longer and more deliberate process. Humans began selecting animals with desirable traits for breeding. This selective breeding led to changes in the animals' behavior and physical characteristics, ultimately creating domesticated breeds.

It's important to note that:

* Domestication was a slow process: It happened over thousands of years, and different animals were domesticated at different times.

* Domestication was a global phenomenon: It happened independently in different parts of the world.

* The exact timeline of domestication is still debated: Scientists use archaeological and genetic evidence to reconstruct the process, and there are still many unknowns.

Some of the first animals to be domesticated include:

* Dogs: Domesticated from wolves around 15,000 years ago.

* Sheep and goats: Domesticated around 10,000 years ago.

* Cattle: Domesticated around 10,000 years ago.

* Pigs: Domesticated around 9,000 years ago.

* Cats: Domesticated around 9,000 years ago.

The domestication of animals had a profound impact on human history. It allowed for a more stable food supply, provided resources for clothing and tools, and facilitated the development of agriculture and civilization.