From Roots to Grains: Tracing the First Crops Cultivated by Humans

Humans have been cultivating crops for thousands of years, but what were the first crops that humans started to grow? Archaeologists and historians have been studying this question for years, and the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. According to some experts, the first crops that humans started to grow were grains such as wheat, barley, and rice. These crops were likely domesticated more than 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, a region that includes parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Grains were easy to store and transport, and they provided a reliable source of food for early human communities. Other experts believe that the first crops humans grew were root vegetables such as yams, taro, and cassava. These crops were domesticated in Africa more than 5,000 years ago and provided a reliable source of carbohydrates for early human communities. Still, others argue that the first crops humans grew were fruits such as figs, dates, and grapes. These crops were easy to gather and provided a source of nutrition for early human communities. Regardless of which crops were the first to be cultivated, the development of agriculture was a significant milestone in human history. It allowed early humans to settle in one place and develop complex societies, leading to the rise of civilization as we know it today. Today, we continue to rely on these crops and many others for our daily sustenance. From grains to root vegetables to fruits, the history of human agriculture is a rich and diverse one that continues to shape our world today.