Verified Document

Agriculture Technologies In The Middle Ages Term Paper

Agriculture Technologies in the Middle Ages The Middle Ages is a period characterized by the diffusion of many new agricultural technologies which, in turn, increased agricultural productivity, protected rich croplands from inclement weather, established a uniformity in farming throughout the various regions, and improved nutrition overall.

Agricultural Tools

The plow is considered to be one of the most important (and oldest) technologies developed. In fact, the history of the plow stretches back to the Neolithic (New Stone) Age that began about 8000 BC in Mesopotamia. In the Middle Ages, however, the plow was radically improved and was used with multiple-oxen teams. This innovation facilitated the clearing of the forests of fertile northwest Europe (Gies & Gies 1995). Before this time because of the nature of the soil, it was difficult to plow these fields. And, obviously, this inability to cultivate these fields reduced the population of northwest Europe. After the redesign of the plow, allowing the plow to plow the heavier and wetter soil of northwest Europe, there was a dramatic increase in agricultural productivity, and subsequently, the population of these areas. The working day of a farmer was still very difficult, even with the technological improvements of the Medieval Age.

In addition to the redesign of the plow, the way the crops were grown changed in Medieval Europe when farmers changed from a two-field crop rotation to a three-field crop rotation beginning in the 8th century. According to White (1962), Charlemagne himself thought of this agricultural innovation. Why, we may ask, is it so significant? How did the three-field rotation work, as compared with the older two-field rotation? Under a two-field...

Then, in the next year, the two fields were reversed. Under three-field rotation, the land was divided into three parts. One section was planted in the Fall with winter wheat or rye. The next Spring, the second field was planted with other crops such as peas, lentils, or beans and the third field was left fallow. The three fields were rotated in this manner so that every three years, a field would rest and be unplanted. Under the two filed system, if one has a total of 600 fertile acres of land, one would only plant 300 acres. Under the new three-field rotation system, one would plant (and thereby harvest) 400 acres. But, the additional crops had a more significant effect than mere productivity. Since the Spring crops were mostly legumes, they increased the overall nutrition of the people of Northern Europe.
The technologies examined below played an important role in the development of medieval agriculture. The consequence of these improvements was a major increase in agricultural productivity, among other advancements.

The Harness

Use of the horse collar seems to have spread rapidly though not uniformly through European agriculture and heavy freight hauling - though in neither case did the use of oxen ever totally vanish (Langdon 1986). Oxen were cheaper than horses, but horses are 50% faster than oxen and can work more hours during the day. But they were no stronger than oxen in total pulling force, were more difficult to care for, and required specialized (and more expensive) food. Nevertheless, by the late Middle Ages the use of the horse in agriculture became very common (Gimpel 1976).

The Heavy Plow

This plow…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Comet, G. "Technology and Agricultural Expansion in the Middle Ages: The Example of France north of the Loire." Medieval Farming and Technology. Brill, 1997

Gies & Gies. Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel subtitled "Technology and Invention in the Middle Ages." HarperPerennial, 1995.

Gimpel, J. The Medieval Machine subtitled "The Industrial Revolution of the Middle Ages."

Penguin, 1976.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Agriculture Technologies in the Middle Ages
Words: 1334 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Agricultural Innovations The Middle ages were quite fruitful in inventing a number of discoveries that include the invention of the wheels, the invention of the plow, the harnessing the power of animals to pull wagons and plows and make their use for transportation, using the power of wind for sailboats, and the invention of writing and calendar (Ashcroft et al., 1989). These innovations collectively transformed the conditions of life for societies

Ancient, Early Church, Middle Ages, and Renaissance
Words: 1204 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Ancient, Early Church, Middle Ages, and Renaissance Civilizations to the Contemporary Western Civilization Two primary civilizations had emerged to form the first civilization of mankind -- that of the Mesopotamia, and Egyptian civilizations. Although other important civilizations had been formed during the ancient times such as the Sumerian and Akkadian empires, the important contributions and use of innovations and progress of the three aforementioned civilizations had influenced and developed the

Technology the Hazards and Benefits
Words: 763 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Analysis and Opinion: Unfortunately, the bases of some of the most vocal critics of science come from those who are completely ignorant of the many benefits of modern science. Meanwhile, the profit motivation sometimes inspires irresponsible risk taking by those who are more greedy than ignorant. Scientific technology must not be limited by ignorance, but it must be regulated so that legitimate ecological concerns are not overlooked for the sake

Middle East Civilization I His
Words: 1254 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Muslims excelled in ornate and intricate designs since they rejected drawing and sculpting the human image for fear of idolatry. Their artistic style consists of rugs, silks, leatherwork, metal work, cotton textiles, highly glazed ceramics, and fine glass, as well as wall hangings, tiles, inlaid metalwork, carved wood, and furniture. Another art polished to sheen by Muslims was calligraphy, or stylized form of penmanship that developed into a form

Middle School Social Studies Sixth
Words: 1319 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Governments of Eastern Hemisphere nations Families, clan and tribal groups act to maintain law and order As settlement patterns changed, new political developed to meet the complex needs of society. Through time, the people have held different assumptions as to power, authority, governments and law. Governments change over time to meet changing needs and wants of the people Present systems of government have their origins in the past The value of the nations affect the guarantee

Middle East Region There Is
Words: 4978 Length: 16 Document Type: Term Paper

The parallels are of Sheikh Mohammad are drawn with King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia who used oil to build the foundation of modern Saudi Arabia. He can also be considered a CEO who is managing his emirate like a big company using the modern management principles. He is using the principles of modern participatory management as he does not confine himself to boardrooms or high power meetings and

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now