Assessment Questions 8.12

1. Highlight the diversity of domesticated plants and animals in East Asia, challenging the common perception of rice as the sole agricultural food base.

Contrary to the common perception of rice as the main agricultural food base in East Asia, there are 284 separate taxa of domesticated plants and animals in the region, as pointed out by archaeologist Gary Crawford.

2. Discuss the earliest evidence of plant and animal domestication in China, referencing the Zengpiyan Cave site and the significance of young pig bones.

The Zengpiyan Cave site in Guilan, China, provides evidence of plant and animal domestication dating to over 10,300 years ago. Notably, 85% of the animal bones found, mostly young pigs, suggest intentional breeding and tending rather than wild hunting. Smaller canine teeth indicate artificial selection for less dangerous animals.

3. Explain the significance of rice (Oryza sativa) in East Asia, including the two primary varieties (japonica and indica) and their genetic relationships.

Rice is a major domesticated food plant in East Asia, with two primary varieties: japonica and indica. Japonica, found in East Asia, especially China, is genetically older. Genetic analysis suggests that japonica and indica result from separate domestication sequences, but they share specific traits. There's a suggestion that the indica variety is a hybrid between its South Asian ancestor and the japonica variety.