Paleontological evidence suggests that meat constituted a substantial proportion of the diet of even the earliest humans.[1]:2 Early hunter-gatherers depended on the organized hunting of large animals such as bison and deer.[1]:2
The domestication of animals, of which we have evidence dating back to the end of the last glacial period (c. 10,000 BCE),[1]:2 allowed the systematic production of meat and the breeding of animals with a view to improving meat production.[1]:2 The animals which are now the principal sources of meat were domesticated in conjunction with the development of early civilizations:
Meat consumption varies worldwide, depending on cultural or religious preferences, as well as economic conditions. Vegetarians choose not to eat meat because of ethical, economic, environmental, religious or health concerns that are associated with meat production and consumption.
While meat consumption in most industrialized countries is at high, stable levels...[23]
... meat consumption in emerging economies is on the rise.[24]
According to the analysis of the FAO the overall consumption for white meat between 1990 and 2009 has dramatically increased. For example, poultry meat has increased by 76.6% per kilo per capita and pig meat by 19.7%. However, on the contrary, bovine meat has decreased from 10.4 kilograms (23 lb)/capita in 1990 to 9.6 kilograms (21 lb)/capita in 2009
A typical shoulder cut of lamb
Sheep, originating from western Asia, were domesticated with the help of dogs prior to the establishment of settled agriculture, likely as early as the 8th millennium BCE.[1]:3 Several breeds of sheep were established in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt by 3500–3000 BCE.[1]:3 Today, more than 200 sheep-breeds exist.
Cattle were domesticated in Mesopotamia after settled agriculture was established about 5000 BCE,[1]:5 and several breeds were established by 2500 BCE.[1]:6 Modern domesticated cattle fall into the groups Bos taurus (European cattle) and Bos taurus indicus (zebu), both descended from the now-extinct aurochs.[1]:5 The breeding of beef cattle, cattle optimized for meat production as opposed to animals best suited for draught or dairy purposes, began in the middle of the 18th century
