Agricultural Tools in Ancient Times
Prehistoric to Roman Period
During the period extending from before Christ to the Roman era, plowing was carried out using wheelless plows pulled by oxen. Crops were harvested using sickles, and solid-wheeled carts with leather-covered rims fastened with copper nails were used. These carts were drawn by oxen or wild donkeys, often with four animals yoked together via a central pole, and controlled through reins with rings placed around the nose or upper lip and a strap under the jaw. Horses were domesticated by nomadic shepherds but were not used as replacements for wild donkeys until 4000 BCE.
The introduction of iron farming tools marked a technological revolution in agriculture. The earliest iron plow, found in northern Henan, was a small, flat, V-shaped piece mounted on wooden handles and blades. Initially, these plows were not animal-drawn until the development of animal-drawn plows in the first century BCE. Other advancements included the three-shared plow, louli implements (plow and seed drill combinations), harrows, and billhooks for harvesting. Threshed grains were separated by beating them on frames, winnowed by tossing them into the wind, or dehusked using hand mortars.
For irrigation, wooden treadle water pumps with hollow circular frames powered by foot motion were common, while water was drained through trenches or dams. Soil was fertilized using night soil, oil cakes, and ash.
Roman Period Innovations
Farming tools saw modest improvements during the Roman era, with additional features enhancing soil overturning and furrow formation. Wheels were added for easier movement, and tools were animal-drawn. Organic fertilizers were used in pits containing leaves, weeds, and household waste, periodically watered to aid decomposition. Lime marl was also used to enrich the soil. Crops were hand-sown or scattered, then covered with harrows. Harvesting tools like sickles remained in use, later replaced by reapers—open-backed carts pushed by animals through crops.
Medieval Period Developments
The Middle Ages brought significant changes to agricultural tools. Wheeled plows with rudimentary moldboards and vertical coulters were introduced. Horses began to use padded collars, replacing earlier designs that restricted their pulling strength. Oxen were still preferred for their lower cost. Hand tools like the axe were redesigned for efficiency, and jointed flails replaced sticks for threshing. Windmills emerged for grain milling, while sickles continued to be widely used for harvesting.
Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry was a family-based practice, with livestock grazed in open fields and chickens fed on insects or natural feed. Livestock production became one of the most valuable agricultural sectors, contributing to the global food economy through eggs, milk, and meat.
Modern Agricultural Tools
Crop Sector
Modern land development, including forest clearing, deep tilling, soil leveling, and field division, requires advanced machinery, such as:
- Self-propelled equipment
- Heavy machinery, including crawler tractors and heavy-duty plows
- Trenchers
- Chisel plows
Soil tillage involves mechanical manipulation to prepare an ideal environment for seed germination and growth. Equipment includes tractors, levelers, plows, scrapers, and dozers. For sowing, seed drills and planters are used to:
- Measure seeds of various sizes.
- Distribute seeds uniformly.
- Place seeds at precise depths.
- Cover seeds and compact the soil.
Additional sowing equipment includes drills, planters, dibblers, and trans-planters.
Weed Control
Weeding enhances crop growth, improves soil conditions, and reduces competition for resources. Tools used include:
- Sprayers: For high or low-volume spraying.
- Dusters: For applying powdered chemicals.
- Weeding tools: Such as harrows, shovels, and plows.
Harvesting
Harvesting involves cutting, gathering, or digging crops to collect usable parts. Methods include manual, animal-drawn, and mechanical techniques. Key terms:
- Mower: Cuts grass crops and lays them in rows.
- Reaper: Cuts grain crops.
- Reaper binder: Cuts and binds crops into bundles.
Post-Harvest Equipment
Post-harvest tools process crops for consumption, such as:
- Seed extractors
- Dehuskers
- Cleaners
- Graders
- Mills
- Dryers
Livestock Management Tools
Machinery aids livestock management through:
- Milking machines
- Automated feeding and watering systems
- Egg incubators and candlers
- Tractors
The Role of Agriculture and Its Tools
Human efforts throughout history have focused on controlling biological activities for desired plant and animal production. This led to specialized facilities like dairy farms, vegetable gardens, and tree farms. The process relies on tools, machinery, and chemicals to harness land, plants, animals, and water for uncertain yet essential outcomes, paving the way for agricultural scientists to emerge as specialists in optimizing agricultural practices.
