Where were swine first domesticated?

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Swine, or domestic pigs, are widely believed to have been first domesticated in regions that correspond to modern-day China. Archaeological evidence suggests that the process of domestication began around 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze River Valley, where people started to manage wild boar populations. The domesticated pigs then spread from this area to other parts of Asia and eventually to Europe and the Americas through trade and exploration.

China has maintained a long history of pig farming, and it is one of the largest producers of pork today. This historical context highlights the significance of China in the domestication of swine, thereby making it the correct answer regarding the origins of domesticated pigs. Other regions mentioned, such as Europe, India, and Africa, have their own histories of pig husbandry and domestication, but the earliest and most documented instances trace back to China.

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