[Solved] In the Middle East, early cultivation began as an attempt to copy, in a less favorable environment, the dense stands of wheat and barley that grew wild in the hilly flanks. All of the following either motivated or facilitated this attempt EXCEPT A) living in marginal areas most affected by climatic changes. B) human inventiveness and experimentation that occurred in the optimal zones, such as the hilly flanks. C) the existence of a vertical economy. D) population growth. E) climatic changes that reduced the available amount of wild wheat and barley. Selfish Herd Hypothesis: A theory suggesting that individuals can reduce their predation risk by positioning themselves within a group, thus exploiting the protection offered by the collective. Assassin Bug: A member of the Reduviidae family, known for their predatory behavior and method of injecting toxic saliva into their prey. Sleeping Cluster: A behavior observed in some animals, including naked mole rats, where individuals sleep closely together for warmth, safety, or social bonding. Peripheral: Relating to or situated on the edge or outer limits of something, often used to describe objects or areas that are not central or core to a main subject.