Question

Did domestication of plants in the Americas rely on a small suite of founder crops as it did elsewhere in the world? What are several key domesticated plants introduced into the Americas from Mesoamerica? Were there any domesticated animals introduced from Mesoamerica? What does an increase in the seed size of gourds tell us about domestication?

Answer 1

The domestication of plants and animals in Mesoamerica played a crucial role in the development of agriculture. Maize, beans, squash, and sunflower were key domesticated plants introduced into the Americas from Mesoamerica. An increase in the seed size of gourds is evidence of intentional domestication and the impact of human intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Mesoamerica, the domestication of plants and animals played a crucial role in the development of agriculture. While the process of domestication relied on a small suite of founder crops, such as maize, beans, and squash, the eastern portions of North America also had an independent center of plant domestication that contributed to the regional diet. Several key domesticated plants introduced into the Americas from Mesoamerica include maize, beans, squash, and sunflower. Additionally, the domestication of animals in Mesoamerica included camelids like llamas, guanacos, and alpacas for meat and wool, as well as guinea pigs for food.

An increase in the seed size of gourds tells us about domestication because it is a visible physical change resulting from human selection. Humans intentionally selected and cultivated gourds with larger seeds, leading to larger and more desirable fruit. This change in seed size is evidence of intentional domestication and the impact of human intervention in shaping plant characteristics over time.