Question

Compare and contrast agricultural practices of Mesoamerica with ancient African cultures. Provide two similarities and two differences.

Answer 1

Two similarities:

• African agriculture developed in the Sahara region between 9000 and 6000 BC, due to a wet period that made the area particularly fertile. Mesoamerican agriculture similarly developed in wet, fertile areas.
• The rise of agriculture in these regions led to a rise in population density and the development of complex societies.

Two differences:

• While agricultural practices that were developed in Africa spread to Asia and Europe through migration, many Mesoamerican practices disappeared after colonization.
• Agriculture in Africa was often practiced along animal husbandry, while domestic animals were uncommon in America.

Answer 2

In Mesoamerican agriculture, there was land scarcity so they were forced to develop strategies to cultivate the available land. They started forming terraces to expand the land usage of the mountains. They also used slash and burn techniques which was also used by the ancient African cultures to allow the land to gain more nutrients.