Sheep and Man by M.L. Ryder

Description

Apart from the dog, the sheep was the first animal domesticated by man (in about 10,000 BC). This pioneering book on the history of our highly profitable relationship combines evidence from every possible source – anthropology, geography, folklore, linguistics, biology and agriculture. The interests of scientists, archaeologists, historians – and general readers – are all kept in view.

Wool has been of prime importance throughout man’s history, from ancient Babylonia (‘Land of Wool’) to modern Australia, and a major theme of this book is the author’s own research in the variety of fleeces developed by selective breeding. Never before has the sheep, or indeed any domestic animal, been treated on such a wide chronological and geographical scale.