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Beasts of Burden, Trade, and Hierarchy: The Long Shadow of Domestication

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  • Andreas Link

Abstract

This paper studies how the prehistoric geographic distribution of domesticable transport animal species has contributed to shaping di erences in development. I identify the historic ranges of the ten animal species that are (1) suitable for domestication and (2) suitable for carrying loads. Based on these ranges, I create a measure of the prehistoric presence of domesticable transport animals around the world. The empirical analysis reveals a strong relationship between the historic presence of domesticable transport animals and the emergence of ancient long-distance trade routes and early forms of hierarchy. Historical access to domesticable transport animals also continued to matter in the long run: Pre-industrial ethnic groups living in regions historically home to domesticable transport animals were more involved in trade and had built more complex hierarchical structures. Moreover, these groups developed greater numerical skills, larger levels of labor specialization, and higher levels of class stratification, thus underscoring the broad cultural and developmental impacts exerted by historical access to domesticable transport animals.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Link, 2023. "Beasts of Burden, Trade, and Hierarchy: The Long Shadow of Domestication," Working Papers 224, Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE).
    • Handle: RePEc:bav:wpaper:224_link
    as

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    File URL: http://www.bgpe.de/texte/DP/224_Link.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson & James Robinson, 2005. "The Rise of Europe: Atlantic Trade, Institutional Change, and Economic Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(3), pages 546-579, June.
    2. Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson & James A. Robinson, 2001. "The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development: An Empirical Investigation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(5), pages 1369-1401, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Domestication; hierarchy; long-distance trade; persistence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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