ACROSS CIVILIZATIONS: The Evolutionary Path of Cattle Rearing

Humans began consuming meat products over 2.6 million years ago. Over time, the reliance on animal resources developed into more structured practices, such as cattle farming, which involves raising cattle for meat, labour, and dairy products.

Wild aurochs

Around 10,500 years ago, people began to domesticate the wild progenitors of the aurochs in Central Anatolia and Western Iran, particularly in the Levant region.

Photograph taken by STEFANO BIANCHETTI illustrating early civilization from National Geographic

Cattle rearing began with the domestication of wild aurochs in a crescent-shaped region located in Mesopotamia, in the Middle East. This region, known as the Fertile Crescent, was popularized by archaeologist James Henry Breasted in Outlines of European History (1914) and Ancient Times: A History of the Early World.

The Fertile Crescent is a fertile area shaped like a crescent moon, with soil enriched by rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates. Often described as the “cradle of civilization”, this region allowed early societies to cultivate crops, domesticate animals, settle permanently, and eventually establish the world’s first cities.

As domestication practices spread outward from the Fertile Crescent, cattle became deeply woven into the fabric of ancient societies. They were not only a source of food but also served as transportation and as draught animals in agriculture. Mesopotamian records often depict oxen being used to plough fields, a development that improved agricultural efficiency and helped sustain early civilizations.

Along the Nile River in North Africa, the Egyptians also relied heavily on cattle. Beyond providing essential resources such as leather, meat, and agricultural labour, cattle symbolized wealth and social status. They featured prominently in religious rituals, most famously through the worship of Hathor, the ancient goddess associated with love, fertility, and motherhood.

Hathor’s close association with cows emphasized her nourishing and maternal nature. Just as a cow produces milk rich in nutrients, Hathor was believed to have nursed the pharaohs, who were sometimes referred to as her “children.” As a funerary goddess, she also welcomed the dead into the afterlife with abundant food and drink, nurturing them on their journey beyond death.

(Depiction of Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of love, fertility, and motherhood)

Today, cattle farming is a highly globalized and technologically advanced industry. With over 1.5 billion cattle worldwide, farmers face the challenges of meeting the rising demand for beef and dairy products while addressing environmental and ethical concerns raised by scientists. Tackling such issues requires the help of cutting-edge technology.

Tools such as automated feeders, GPS trackers, and sensor-equipped ear tags have improved both farm efficiency and animal welfare. These devices track an animal’s health, movement, and feeding habits in real time, enabling farmers to detect illnesses early, make better breeding decisions, and optimize feed use. Caring for cattle has never been more precise or manageable.

One example is Ranchbot, a water-monitoring system that gives farmers real-time insights into their water storage tanks. By measuring water levels and quality, Ranchbot helps ensure cattle have reliable access to clean water. Farmers receive alerts when levels drop, allowing them to refill tanks promptly—improving both efficiency and animal care.

Cattle farming today stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation—rooted in practices developed thousands of years ago, yet increasingly shaped by digital technology, science, and the demand for more sustainable food systems.

The evolution of cattle farming has advanced greatly over centuries, but challenges remain. The modern world faces climate change, environmental degradation, and food insecurity, placing cattle farming at a crossroads. One of the greatest concerns is the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas produced in large quantities by cattle.

However, emerging solutions—such as methane-reducing feed additives, regenerative grazing, and innovations in biotechnology—offer opportunities to transform ancient practices into sustainable ones that align with the 21st century.

The challenge for the future is clear: can humanity continue rearing cattle while minimizing environmental impact? The answer lies in balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring that cattle farming evolves not only to meet the exponential growing needs of men but also as a model of sustainability for generations to come.