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The sheep from every angle

For as long as anyone can remember, sheep have warmed our hearts and bodies, both literally and figuratively. Throughout the ages, via wool knit caps, sweaters and comfortable slippers , our ovine friends have kept us comfortable from head to foot. In our literary and popular imagination, they’ve lulled us to sleep, symbolized the Chosen People in the Bible, and, in more recent times, they have humored us with their lovable antics in Wallace and Gromit, and its spin-off, Shaun the Sheep. These docile creatures seem inextricably bound to us humans. But, has this always been the case? Here is a short history of sheep and some intriguing ways in which sheep come to our service.

An ideal candidate for domestication

Sheep were adopted by humans about 9000 B.C., making them among the first animals to be domesticated. Domestication is the condition in which the reproduction, care and feeding of animals are controlled by humans. Captive breeding allowed us to control the race, their male / female ratio, behavior, etc. The goat family, which includes sheep, has several characteristics that helped to facilitate their domestication. They require little maintenance, they are not aggressive, and they provide various products: meat, milk, wool, and fur.

From Music to Meat: Multiple ways we enjoy the sheep

Early on, our interest in sheep was for its meat; we humans hunted them for food. Gradually, with their domestication, sheep-derived products became more varied. In addition to shearing of wool for clothing, here are some more of the versatile and fascinating ways we use the sheep:

• Sheep milk is the basis of some of our favorite cheeses including Greek Feta, Roquefort and Ricotta
• Sheep intestines are used for casings for sausages
• Historically, the dried intestines of Sheep have also been used for surgical sutures, stringing of musical instruments and even tennis rackets!
• Tanned skin is made into clothing, blankets, shoes, carpets
• Gelatin from sheep bone and cartilage is used to make glue
• Sterilized sheep droppings are mixed with traditional pulp materials to make paper
• Lanolin, a wax derived from Sheep’s wool, is highly prized for its waterproofing qualities and is the basis for many cosmetic products.

As you can see, Sheep serve us in many ways. We show our respect to the Sheep by endeavoring to maximize the use of each part of it.