The first evidence of animal domestication in the lands around the Mediterranean Sea is the domestication of sheep and goats in the Zagros Mountains of present-day Iran and Iraq. These animals were kept for their meat, milk, and wool and could be easily herded and transported, allowing people to adopt a more nomadic lifestyle.
9000-8000 BC:
The domestication of cattle spread from the Zagros Mountains to Anatolia (present-day Turkey), where they were used for both dairy and meat production. Cattle were later introduced to Greece, the Balkans, and Italy.
8000-7000 BC:
The domestication of pigs also spread from the Zagros Mountains to Anatolia and eventually to Europe. Pigs were valued for their meat and could be kept in smaller spaces, making them suitable for sedentary farming communities.
6000-5000 BC:
Horses were domesticated in Central Asia and introduced to the Mediterranean region by migrating peoples. Horses revolutionized transportation and warfare and became essential for long-distance travel and trade.
5000-3000 BC:
The domestication of donkeys and camels occurred in North Africa and the Middle East. Donkeys were used for transportation, while camels were well-suited for desert travel and trade.
By 3000 BC, the domestication of animals in the Mediterranean region was well-established. Domesticated animals provided a reliable source of food, transportation, and labor, contributing significantly to the development of settled agricultural communities and the rise of civilization in the region.