Which of the following explains why multiple early hearths of domestication and diffusion of plants and animals arose across the world in Central America, the Fertile Crescent, the Indus River valley, and Southeast Asia?

Question

Group of answer choices

Domestication of plants and animals began in the Fertile Crescent and the process diffused as pastoral nomads migrated to other areas.

Domestication of plants and animals evolved in each hearth independently of one another as societies in each area learned and applied the process to local plants and animals.

Domestication of plants and animals began in Southeast Asia and the process diffused to other areas as nomadic warriors conquered other cultural groups and carried the new seeds and animals with them.

Domestication of plants and animals began in Central America and the process diffused to other areas through the early explorers.

Domestication of plants and animals began in the Indus River valley and the process diffused to other areas across trade routes.

Answer 1

The most accurate explanation for why multiple early hearths of domestication and diffusion of plants and animals arose across different regions, such as Central America, the Fertile Crescent, the Indus River Valley, and Southeast Asia, is:

Domestication of plants and animals evolved in each hearth independently of one another as societies in each area learned and applied the process to local plants and animals.

This option recognizes that different societies in various geographical locations discovered and developed agricultural practices independently based on their unique environments, resources, and needs. Each region cultivated local species that were suitable for domestication, leading to multiple centers of agricultural innovation across the world.