Contrary to widespread belief, the domestication of animals did not result from a deliberate intention of humans to meet their needs. It resulted from a slow, complex process spanning centuries, marked by a gradual intensification of ecological and cultural interactions between humans and non-humans. This process is part of the massive anthropization of the planet, also known as the « human niche construction ».
By making accessible the most recent results of the bioarchaeological research, the author tells how prehistoric humans and non-humans unknowingly invented an unprecedented form of shared society, for better or for worse. Dogs and cats are the most familiar figures, but this story also involves many farm animals, from cattle to llamas and horses to chickens, not forgetting fish and insects.
However, today, faced with the ecological, economic, health, ethical and political challenges of the 21st century, what is the future of this relationship? This story takes us into the world of science, which advances through hypotheses, refutations and discoveries, and invites us to reflect on our responsibility towards these companions who share our history.
