Which historical event likely marked an early use of science by humans?

The domestication of the wolf around 10,000 BCE is considered a significant event in early human history and an early use of science by humans because it reflects a fundamental understanding of animal behavior and selective breeding practices. This process involved humans observing the wolves' traits and their interactions with the environment, leading to the selective choice of animals that exhibited desirable characteristics, such as tameness and sociability.

This early use of empirical observation and experimentation laid the groundwork for future scientific inquiries and advancements. It represents a pivotal moment in human-animal relationships, transforming social structures, hunting practices, and eventually leading to the development of agriculture and permanent settlements as humans adapted and utilized domesticated animals for various purposes.

The other options, while historically significant, do not illustrate the application of scientific principles in the same way as the domestication of wolves. The migration of humans out of Africa and the development of an astronomical calendar reflect significant cultural and societal advances, but they do not encompass the systematic approach to understanding and manipulating the natural world that domestication entails. Wine fermentation indicates an understanding of chemical processes, but domestication predates this and is more foundational in terms of human scientific practice.