PBS now is airing a 3-part series=20
http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/
based on Jared Diamond's book
*Guns, Germs, and Steel*.

Apparently a New Guinean asked Diamond
some years ago why the white guys get all the
cargo. That got him thinking.

A big part of the answer is the cultivation and
storage of grains, particularly wheat, but also
domestication of animals and a few other things.

The first of the three National Geographic shows
has aired on public radio for now. It is the one
dealing with wheat and grain (primarily barley)=20
among other things. But it should be around again=20
presently, and there is also the book.

Interesting that human success seems to have more
to do with geography than with Gods and politics.

BTW, those ancient wheat-eaters baked their bread=20
in spite of not having the technology of "retardation"
except maybe some cold nights sometimes.

--
Dicky

Interesting that human success seems to have more to do with geography
than with Gods and politics.

Seems to me that humans make their Gods much the same as they make their
bread: they suit them to their geography

JB

Dick Adams wrote:

PBS now is airing a 3-part series
http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/
based on Jared Diamond's book
*Guns, Germs, and Steel*.

Apparently a New Guinean asked Diamond
some years ago why the white guys get all the
cargo. That got him thinking.

A big part of the answer is the cultivation and
storage of grains, particularly wheat, but also
domestication of animals and a few other things.

The first of the three National Geographic shows
has aired on public radio for now. It is the one
dealing with wheat and grain (primarily barley)
among other things. But it should be around again
presently, and there is also the book.

Interesting that human success seems to have more
to do with geography than with Gods and politics.

BTW, those ancient wheat-eaters baked their bread
in spite of not having the technology of "retardation"
except maybe some cold nights sometimes.

--
Dicky

From a lurker:

Some of you may be interested in "Archaeological Parameters for the
Origins of Beer" [and bread]:

http://www.brewingtechniques.com/lib.../kavanagh.html

tk