Voir Wild Europe, Series 1 - Episode 3

As Europeans settled into communities, they emerged as the major force now shaping the continent’s landscape and wildlife. Where before people lived with the land, now they tamed it for their needs. The human population grew immensely from just a few thousand to many millions by the beginning of the 20th century and this had a profound effect on wild animals, plants and landscapes. The creation of towns and cities, and the need to feed the burgeoning population, has formed the diversity we see today. 10,000 years ago in the Near East a new and revolutionary practice was taking shape – agriculture. This soon crossed Europe, reaching the furthest parts 4,000 years ago. Where people had once cut small clearings to encourage prey, now livestock was reared and whole forests were felled to plant crops. These early farmers also created a range of massively impressive monuments across the continent – elaborate astronomical calendars which are clear evidence of people working together in a highly-organised way.