Cambridge University Press

Animals have always played a part in human society. At various times and places in history, some wild mammals formed particularly close relationships with human populations resulting in a range of biological and behavioural changes due to the process known as domestication. This process has significantly altered the lifestyles of both the mammals that were domesticated, and the humans that domesticated them.

In this fascinating seminar Juliet Clutton-Brock explores the progress that has been made in understanding the origins of domestication and its spread, both biologically and culturally, across the world. Clutton-Brock tackles issues surrounding the definition of 'domestic' as opposed to 'wild' creatures, explains the biological processes that render the domesticated animal different to its wild relatives, and describes the physical and behavioural changes that typically take place in domesticated species. The seminar also introduces the long history of study that has attempted to determine whether domestic animals should be recognised as conscious beings.

• Explain how the biological processes of domestication mimic the evolution of island races of wild animals.
• Assess the cultural factors that influence the process of domestication.
• Describe how the teeth, body size and behaviour of animals tend to change when they are domesticated.
• Chart how the scientific understanding of animal behaviour, and animal consciousness, has developed.