Chronology of Horticulture

The history of Horticulture and crop production is naturally associated with the history of the various plants that are the 'essential currency' of the field. However, the exploration of Horticultural Origins must be placed in a broader chronological framework. To this end, it may be helpful to work with a very general outline of major historical periods that can serve as reference points. Note, however, that this outline is focused on a Eurocentric framework because our culture is primarily 'Western.' See farther below for other important regions where cultural developments occurred in parallel.

Note: Click on each of the sections to get more information on the role of Horticulture in that period.

• Near Eastern Origins - transition from hunter/gatherers to settled gardeners (horticulturists and the development of agriculture)
• Egyptian Civilization
• Judeo-Christian Development
• Hellenistic (Greek) prominence
• Roman Empire
• Byzantium and rise of Islam
• Middle Ages
• Renaissance
• Age of Discovery
• The New World
• Industrial Revolution & the Rise of Science
• The Modern Era

If interested in finding out more general information about history, you can click below:

World Civilization Reader and History 101 on-line course!

• China
• Japan
• India and other South East Asian
• Mesoamerica (Maya, Aztec)
• Andean region of South America (pre-Inca & Inca)
• North America (Navajo, Pueblo, Mound Builders, etc)

Note Other Historical Contexts for the development of Horticulture.
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