Everything Everywhere Daily The Domestication of Sheep
Sep 20, 2025
Explore the fascinating journey of sheep domestication over 11,000 years ago in the Middle East and Central Asia. Discover how this pivotal moment enhanced food production and transformed clothing and writing. The story unfolds with selective breeding leading to the creation of renewable wool and its significant cultural impact, such as the legend of the Golden Fleece. Learn how sheep have shaped economies worldwide, from historical conflicts to the diverse sheep industries we see today.
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Domestication Was A Gradual Co-Evolution
- Domestication unfolded gradually through opportunistic hunting and mutual behavioral change between humans and sheep.
- This co-evolution favored sheep that were less fearful and humans better at managing flocks.
Biological Changes From Breeding
- Domesticated sheep developed smaller bodies, shorter faces, and reduced horns compared to wild mouflon ancestors.
- Selective breeding also produced much thicker, softer fleeces that enabled wool production.
Wool Revolutionized Clothing
- Wool transformed clothing by providing a renewable, warm, and workable fiber superior to hides or linen in many ways.
- Wool's insulation, moisture handling, elasticity, and dyeability made it a revolutionary textile resource.