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Early agricultural machinery was an essential part of human civilization, providing basic tools and techniques for agricultural production. Before the mechanization of agriculture, early agricultural machinery was the primary tool for daily farming activities, often made from locally available natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal.

 

The types and functions of early agricultural machinery varied depending on the region and culture, but they can generally be categorized into several main groups:

 

Plows and harrows: The plow was one of the most fundamental tools in ancient agriculture, used for turning and tilling the soil. The earliest plows were made from wood and animal bones, later evolving into metal plows. Harrows were used for leveling the soil and clearing weeds, also made from wood or metal.

 

Cultivation tools: Early farmers used various cultivation tools for planting and managing crops. These tools included seed spreaders, hoes, and transplanters, used for tasks such as planting, weeding, and tilling.

 

Harvesting tools: Early farmers used a variety of tools for harvesting crops, such as sickles, reapers, and sieves. These tools were typically made of steel and used for cutting grains, fruits, and vegetables.

 

Water management tools: In some regions, early farmers used water management tools for irrigation and drainage. These tools included water wheels, pumps, and irrigation canals, used to transport water from water sources to fields and remove excess water.

 

Early agricultural machinery played a crucial role in early agriculture, enabling farmers to cultivate the land, plant crops, and harvest yields, thus sustaining society's food supply and livelihoods. Although the functionality and efficiency of early agricultural machinery were far from modern agricultural machinery, they represented humanity's initial mastery of land and natural resources, as well as early exploration and innovation in agricultural production techniques.

 

Today, while most regions have achieved agricultural mechanization, some early agricultural machinery is still used in certain areas and specific agricultural productions. These tools may hold cultural and historical value and continue to be passed down and used in some traditional agricultural communities.