The role of humans as domesticators has to be addressed first, because it seems that this role is basically identical regardless of the animal counterparts involved in particular domestications. As a general attitude, many archaeologists consider animal domestication as a process consciously initiated by humans for special purposes. As a common notion, the domestication of meat-producing animals is considered as human reaction to a shortage of protein supplies provoked by a range of potential causes. The dog was domesticated as hunting companion, and the horse for pulling the chariot - just to mention a few examples of purpose-oriented reasoning for causes of domestication processes. The likelihood that such reasons initiated domestications is very low, however, because as a general rule the usefulness of a particular domestic animal could not be imagined beforehand, when that species was only known as a fugitive and in some cases even dangerous wild animal.
When looking into the known details of actual domestication processes, and when taking into account the available knowledge about biology and behavior of the species involved, explanatory scenarios can be developed for specific situations, which lead to the domestication of particular animals without postulating a purpose. In plain words, this means that domestications may just have happened when a very particular set of circumstances allowed it. The specific usefulness of the respective domestic animal could then be recognized and would have been the reason for its further propagation.
A major reason for skepticism against considering humans as active, purposeful domesticators should be the fact that so few animals were domesticated. Situations of protein shortages must have happened many times during all periods of early human history. Among the rich variety of African ungulates there would most certainly have been species which were appropriate for domestication. The argument that humans themselves first had to develop particular capabilities for managing domestic animals must be considered, but does not explain the actual observations. These questions will be taken up again when discussing the evidence for the earliest domestication of meat-producing animals.
The alternative to purposeful domestication is the unconscious development of close man/animal connections leading to a symbiotic relationship. As humans are the only mammals who have domesticates, the basic behavioral features must be looked for on the human side. They can easily be found in a common attitude toward very young animals, which almost inevitably triggers nursing instincts in humans. The relevance of this feature for animal domestication has long been realized, but - in spite of more recent reconsiderations - has not really been recognized in its fundamental importance for animal domestications. Complete taming of animals usually can only be achieved when it starts very early during their individual development. Together the nursing instinct on the human side and the potential for complete taming on the side of very young animals provide a starting point for a close man/animal relationship on an individual basis.
World History
