An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.4

v1.c9.s6.4

It has been suggested that domestication of animals [1] passed through the following stages of man-animal relationship: (a) loose contacts; (b) taming in captivity; (c) selective breeding; (d) incipient domestication; (e) planned development of breeds; and (f) gradual extermination of wild ancestors. This classification however is inappropriate and a possible alternative has instead been suggested (Jarman, 1976a, b): (a) random predation; (b) controlled predation; (c) herd following; (d) loose following; (e) close herding; and (f) factory farming. These stages represent increasing degrees of control over and investment of labour in the animal concerned and have the advantage of being based on the process in which man exploited animals. The classification however cannot be taken to be a chronological succession or a technological ladder of progress.