1.9 Ancient peoples practiced genetic techniques in agriculture. (a) Modern wheat, with larger and more numerous seeds that do not scatter before harvest, was produced by interbreeding at least three different wild species. (b) Assyrian bas-relief sculpture showing artificial pollination of date palms at the time of King Assurnasirpalli II, who reigned from 883 to 859 B.C.

[Part a: Scott Bauer/ARS/USDA. Part b: Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY.]