The Neolithic Revolution

The Neolithic Revolution is the term for the first agricultural revolution. This revolution in particular is characterized by the transition from hunting and gathering to that of agriculture. Twelve thousand years ago history had changed itself. Ninety percent of the human race gave up hunting game and gathering fruits, vegetables, and grasses to practice agriculture, the growing of crops and domesticating animals. Once agriculture was established the effect it had on peoples’ lives was revolutionary. This led to a drastic change, one with a definite beginning point.
The Neolithic Revolution began 10,000 years ago, after the last ice age. The weather began to get warmer which led to a change in patterns of plant and animal life. The hunter-gatherer …show more content…
This meant that the people were adapting plant and animal life to associate with and to, the advantage of human life. Farmers began to cultivate crops along the flood plains where the soil was rich in sediment. This was advantageous for the famers for many reasons including being able to cultivate a single plot many times as well as not being as dependent on rainfall. Once the farmers chose their specific grain to harvest, for example wheat, they would breed it to be bigger and easier to eat. Since wheat was fragile and easily spread by the wind in its natural environment, the farmers by harvesting continuously would have the grain to be less likely spread by the wind and sticking closer to the head of the plant. The harvesting of such crops occurred on a timely scale, leaving it to become tough and more renowned. It was the repetition of harvesting a certain crop along with sowing grains that led to the domestication of plants. When it was time to domesticate animals the individual had to keep in mind the animal’s size, temperament, diet, and mating patterns. Considering not only the above, but also the animals life span, determined whether or not success was achieved. Most of the animals that were domesticated were done so for a source of food. In their natural environment, pigs for example, were thin due to the fact that they had to forage for their food. When brought out …show more content…
It was definitely that of a change, a drastic one at that. This time period was a definite beginning point for everyone affected by it. The Neolithic Revolution or agricultural revolution brought other changes, not just the domestication of plants and animals. People now gave up their nomadic ways and settled into communities. The people whom lived in the villages would build their houses close to one another to protect the food they put up for storage. Others also began to learn specialized crafts such as making pottery and weaving baskets. Having a significant amount of food available along with different crafts led people to be able and trade with their neighbors. Seeing as how the population was increasing due to a civilized life style, many structures were organized. As far as the religious structure, it was the Gods whom the people sought controlled the village’s success. The village favored people who claimed to have a special relationship with the Gods. They knew that keeping the Gods very happy was crucial. That person who claimed to have the special relationship would in return become the priest. The individuals who made up the village knew they had to do what they priest said in order for the outcome to be what was wanted. The farmers needed the Gods to provide plenty of rain, in the proper amount, for their crops and to keep the pests away. The hunters on the other