Introduction
Mark Essig's "Lesser Beasts" takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of one of humanity's most complex and enduring relationships: our bond with pigs. From ancient civilizations to modern farms, this book explores how these intelligent animals have shaped our cultures, diets, and even our cities. Essig delves into the contradictions surrounding pigs - revered by some, reviled by others - and examines how our treatment of these animals reflects our own values and societal changes.
The Surprising Similarities Between Pigs and Humans
Essig begins by highlighting the unexpected similarities between pigs and humans. Despite our apparent differences, we share more in common with these animals than meets the eye:
Digestive systems: Both pigs and humans are omnivores, capable of eating a wide variety of foods. Our digestive tracts function similarly, with stomachs that break down proteins, small intestines that absorb sugars, and colons that absorb water.
Dental structure: The author shares an amusing anecdote about a 10-million-year-old tooth discovered in Nebraska. Initially thought to belong to an early human ancestor, it was later revealed to be from an extinct pig-like creature. This mix-up underscores the similarities in our dental structures.
Cohabitation: As humans began settling into permanent communities around 10,000 BC, they brought domesticated pigs along with them. Archaeological evidence from ancient village sites shows the remains of both human and pig bones, indicating a long-standing relationship between the two species.
Garbage disposal: Early domesticated pigs played a crucial role in keeping human settlements clean by consuming leftovers and waste. This symbiotic relationship allowed humans to establish more permanent settlements, as pigs helped manage the accumulation of garbage that would have otherwise forced people to relocate.
The Rise and Fall of Pork in Ancient Civilizations
As civilizations developed in the Middle East, attitudes towards pigs began to shift:
Climate challenges: The hot, dry climate of the region wasn't ideal for raising pigs, which require shade and diverse food sources.
Elite rejection: Wealthy members of society, such as bureaucrats and priests, began to favor beef and lamb over pork, associating the latter with lower social classes.
Scavenging reputation: Pigs' willingness to eat anything, including human corpses and feces, led to them being viewed as unclean and impure in Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures.
Religious prohibitions: The Jewish people introduced a formal ban on pork consumption in the Torah, which later influenced Islamic dietary laws as well. Today, this religious prohibition affects the diets of approximately 1.6 billion Muslims and 14 million Jews worldwide.
The Pig's Revival in Greek and Roman Cultures
Despite their declining reputation in the Middle East, pigs found new appreciation in ancient Greece and Rome:
Greek endorsement: Hippocrates, the father of medicine, declared pork to be the finest of all meats.
Cultural imposition: As Alexander the Great and his successors conquered new territories, they imposed Greek culture and dietary habits on the conquered peoples. This included forcing Jews to abandon their custom of avoiding pork.
Roman enthusiasm: The Romans had a particular fondness for pork, as evidenced by the numerous Latin words for various pork products and pig-related professions.
Public welfare: Roman emperors used pork as a means of keeping the populace content, with Emperor Aurelian adding free pork to the existing "bread and circuses" policy in 270 AD.
Agricultural trade: The demand for pork in Rome led to the development of an extensive agricultural trade system, with 75% of Rome's food being imported from various parts of the empire.
Pigs in the New World
Essig then explores the crucial role pigs played in the exploration and settlement of the Americas:
Adaptability: Unlike other domesticated animals, pigs quickly adapted to the new environments they encountered in the Americas.
Rapid reproduction: Pigs multiplied so quickly that explorers often left breeding pairs on offshore islands to ensure a future food supply.
Spanish exploration: Pigs contributed significantly to Spanish exploration efforts by providing a reliable food source for long journeys.
English colonization: The hardy forest pigs brought by the Spanish to the Caribbean proved well-suited to the needs of English colonists in North America.
Urban sanitation: As colonies grew into cities, pigs once again proved useful in managing waste and garbage.
The Pig as an Urban Garbage Disposal
In the early 20th century, rapidly growing cities faced significant waste management challenges. Pigs emerged as an efficient and cost-effective solution:
Municipal waste management: Cities like Worcester, Massachusetts, employed thousands of pigs to dispose of garbage.
Profit generation: Some cities even profited from this arrangement by selling the pork from these waste-disposal pigs.
Efficiency: Farmers discovered that pigs were two to three times more efficient than cows at converting corn into meat.
Breeding improvements: Modern pig breeds were developed with longer intestines, allowing them to extract more nutrients from their food and grow more efficiently.
The Antibiotic Revolution in Pig Farming
The mid-20th century saw a significant change in pig farming practices with the introduction of antibiotics:
Accidental discovery: Farmers initially believed that vitamin B12 supplements were responsible for increased weight gain in pigs, but soon realized it was due to the antibiotics in these supplements.
Rapid approval: The US Food and Drug Administration quickly approved antibiotics as a feed supplement without extensive testing.
Widespread adoption: Antibiotic use in livestock skyrocketed from 1.2 million pounds in the 1960s to 25 million pounds per year in later decades.
Dual benefits: Antibiotics not only promoted faster weight gain but also helped prevent illnesses in crowded farming conditions.
Unintended consequences: The overuse of antibiotics in livestock has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, posing risks to both animal and human health.
Alternative approaches: Some countries, like Denmark, have successfully banned the use of antibiotics in pig farming without compromising their pork industry.
The Dark Side of Modern Hog Farming
Essig doesn't shy away from addressing the negative impacts of contemporary industrial pig farming:
Environmental pollution: Modern pig farms produce enormous amounts of waste, often stored in large manure lagoons that can overflow and contaminate nearby water sources.
Lack of regulation: Despite strict regulations on human waste management, there are few regulations governing the handling of pig waste.
Water contamination: Pig waste often seeps into groundwater, polluting wells and streams.
Air pollution: The concentration of pigs in industrial farms leads to the production of harmful gases like methane and ammonia, making nearby areas uninhabitable.
Animal welfare concerns: Pigs in industrial farms suffer from various health issues, including respiratory infections and stress-induced behaviors.
Confinement practices: Many pigs are kept in small cages where they can barely move, unable to express natural behaviors.
The Pig's Journey Through Human History
Throughout "Lesser Beasts," Essig weaves a compelling narrative of the pig's role in human civilization:
Early domestication: Pigs were among the first animals domesticated by humans, helping us transition from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled agriculturalists.
Cultural divides: The pig has been a source of both adoration and disgust across different cultures and religions, reflecting deeper societal values and beliefs.
Exploration and colonization: Pigs played a crucial role in the exploration and settlement of new territories, particularly in the Americas.
Urban development: As human settlements grew into cities, pigs continued to serve important functions, particularly in waste management.
Agricultural innovation: The pig has been at the forefront of many agricultural advancements, from breeding techniques to the use of antibiotics in farming.
Industrial farming: The shift towards large-scale industrial pig farming reflects broader changes in our food production systems and attitudes towards animals.
The Pig's Intelligence and Complexity
Essig highlights the often-overlooked intelligence and emotional complexity of pigs:
Cognitive abilities: Pigs have been shown to possess problem-solving skills comparable to those of chimpanzees.
Emotional range: Studies have demonstrated that pigs can experience a wide range of emotions, including joy, fear, and empathy.
Social behavior: Pigs form complex social hierarchies and can recognize and remember up to 30 other individuals.
Self-awareness: Some research suggests that pigs may possess a level of self-awareness, as demonstrated by their ability to use mirrors.
Playfulness: Young pigs engage in play behavior similar to that of other intelligent mammals, indicating a capacity for joy and social bonding.
The Cultural Significance of Pigs
The author explores how pigs have influenced various aspects of human culture:
Culinary traditions: From Spanish jamón to American barbecue, pork has played a central role in many of the world's cuisines.
Literature and folklore: Pigs feature prominently in stories and fables across cultures, often symbolizing both positive and negative human traits.
Economic importance: The pork industry has been a significant economic driver in many regions throughout history.
Religious symbolism: The pig's status as a forbidden food in some religions has shaped cultural identities and inter-group relations.
Linguistic impact: Many languages have idioms and expressions related to pigs, reflecting their long-standing presence in human society.
The Future of Pig Farming
Essig concludes by considering the future of our relationship with pigs:
Ethical concerns: Growing awareness of animal welfare issues is leading to increased scrutiny of industrial farming practices.
Environmental challenges: The environmental impact of large-scale pig farming is becoming increasingly unsustainable, prompting calls for change.
Health considerations: Concerns about antibiotic resistance and the health effects of industrial pork production are influencing consumer choices.
Alternative farming methods: There's a growing interest in more humane and sustainable pig farming practices, such as free-range and organic farming.
Technological innovations: Advancements in areas like gene editing and lab-grown meat could dramatically reshape the future of pork production.
Cultural shifts: Changing attitudes towards meat consumption and animal rights may lead to significant changes in our relationship with pigs.
Conclusion: Reconsidering Our Relationship with Pigs
In "Lesser Beasts," Mark Essig presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of humanity's complex relationship with pigs. From their role in early human settlements to their place in modern industrial agriculture, pigs have been constant companions on our journey through history.
Essig challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of these intelligent and adaptable animals. He highlights the contradictions in our treatment of pigs - valued for their meat yet often disregarded as sentient beings - and asks us to confront the ethical and environmental implications of our current farming practices.
The book serves as a reminder that our relationship with pigs is a reflection of our own values, cultural beliefs, and societal progress. As we face the challenges of feeding a growing global population while addressing concerns about animal welfare and environmental sustainability, the story of the pig continues to evolve.
Ultimately, "Lesser Beasts" is not just about pigs; it's about us. It's a mirror held up to human society, reflecting our ingenuity, our contradictions, and our capacity for both cruelty and compassion. As we move forward, Essig suggests that how we treat these lesser beasts may well be a measure of our own humanity.