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When you think about the history of civilization, you probably envision the great pyramids, monarchies, advances in philosophy and science, and the great pieces of art that fill museums around the globe. You probably don't stop to think about one of the materials that gave rise to all of these advances and was at the forefront of helping civilizations develop more and more technical innovations: wood. That's right: lumber, including hardwood, softwood, and man-made wood. In fertile areas where crops and trees could grow civilizations flourished and expanded rapidly. In deserts and places where wood was scarce, people had a harder time building and innovating. There are as many ways that wood impacted history as there are words in a dictionary, and charting some of these will give you a new appreciation for both ordinary and exotic woods. Here are roles that lumber has played throughout the history of civilization. Civilization Starts with Materials Several prominent anthropologists, sociologists, and historians point to the availability of resources like animals that could be domesticated, fertile soil, water, and forests as one of the central factors in the level of speed and complexity with which different civilizations changed. Jared Diamond is one famous academic who has written about the ways that civilizations developed differently in different parts of the world based on the availability of different resources. For example, the Middle East (or Fertile Crescent) expanded rapidly and was responsible for leaps in population growth as a result of arable land, forests, and wild goats being available in the region. Although there are many factors in why people and their creations develop in certain ways, one of the largest influences is the way that people are able to use their materials. Lumber was important for building shelter and tools. Archaeologists have found bows, spears, clubs, spoons, and many more wooden tools in civilizations from ancient Egypt to the Aztec empire. If it weren't for wood, buildings couldn't have been erected (because of wooden scaffolding) and many edifices wouldn't have contained any furniture. Symbolic and Artistic Meanings Wood was also used in art and religious objects that aided in the way that cultures saw themselves and expressed their views about the world. Many cultures carved different types of wood to create religious items like masks, totems, and statues. These carvings can have many types of paint, feathers, or metal attached, depending on the specific culture and their beliefs. Northwestern Pacific Indian tribes, for example, carve the trunks of huge, intact trees to create totems with high-contrast colors and animal and supernatural features. Without wood, many cultures would not have been able to create the wonderful objects that express the uniqueness of each. In addition to fine art and religious objects, many European countries are known for creating musical instruments and complex machinery with the help of wood. The printing press, for example, which revolutionized the world forever after was crafted from timber. Woodworking Today and Beyond Today, the main innovations in woodworking have been a result of the global nature of trade and the availability of information. Many types of exotic woods are imported to countries far from the source. Companies in the US bring lumber from Africa, South America, and Asia to provide artists and craftsmen with inspiration. Different types of trees show colors in their bark and internal wood that make for beautiful cabinets, tables, boxes, and art. From different types of rosewood to mahogany and beyond, today's woodworkers are provided with a wide variety of choice in the type of wood perfect for whatever project they are undertaking. The evolution of woodworking has fundamentally changed civilization and has paved the way for the innovations that society enjoys. Cook Woods Fine exotic woods, domestic woods and rare hardwoods are our specialty! Wide selection of exotic wood at great prices. Our customer service is exceptional. Visit our page on https://cookwoods.com/ to see our page today!
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