The Harness: Early High Tech
c500 to c800 AD
500 500
20.00E30.00N
SCI

SOUTHERN EUROPE
	A horse harness is a fairly simple device.  It consists of a collar for the horse to pull against, straps to connect the collar with a plow or vehicle, and the bridle and reins, which allow the driver to control the horse's direction.
	But for Europe during the Middle Ages, the horse harness was a wonderful invention.  Formerly farmers had to use oxen to plow, but oxen were slow and expensive to maintain.
	When the horse harness came to Europe (possibly from the Arabs or Vikings) horses could be used to do the plowing, and they could plow twice as much as an ox.  When used together with a new plow and horseshoes, the horse harness caused food production to soar, which enabled Europe's population to expand as well.
