The Neolithic Revolution The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultureand Early Agriculture
Agricultural DomesticationAgricultural DomesticationIndependent InnovationIndependent Innovation
Cultural DiffusionCultural DiffusionCivilization Civilization
Social StratificationSocial Stratification
IntroductionIntroduction Ice Age ended about 17,000 years agoIce Age ended about 17,000 years ago
Left warmer temperaturesLeft warmer temperatures Higher ocean levelsHigher ocean levels Grasslands and forestsGrasslands and forests
Human population doubled by 5000 BCEHuman population doubled by 5000 BCE World population up to 100 million by 1000 BCEWorld population up to 100 million by 1000 BCE
Food was key to the population increaseFood was key to the population increase Food was sustained and storedFood was sustained and stored Domestication of plants and animalsDomestication of plants and animals
Agricultural Revolution (8000 BCE): Event over time leading to great change Agricultural Revolution (8000 BCE): Event over time leading to great change in how life was lived or perceivedin how life was lived or perceived Scientists do not know exactly why the agricultural revolution occurred during this Scientists do not know exactly why the agricultural revolution occurred during this
periodperiod A rich supply of grain helped support a small population boomA rich supply of grain helped support a small population boom As populations slowly rose, hunter-gatheres felt pressure to find new food As populations slowly rose, hunter-gatheres felt pressure to find new food
sourcessources In this case, Agricultural Revolution drastically influenced growth of population, In this case, Agricultural Revolution drastically influenced growth of population,
and subsequently, civilizationsand subsequently, civilizations
Independent Innovation & Cultural Independent Innovation & Cultural DiffusionDiffusion
Independent innovation and cultural diffusion led to Independent innovation and cultural diffusion led to adoption of agriculture around the worldadoption of agriculture around the world
As societies increased the domestication of animals and As societies increased the domestication of animals and plants, techniques were borrowed and handed onplants, techniques were borrowed and handed on
Seeds and crops were also exchanged, increasing what Seeds and crops were also exchanged, increasing what was grown and tradedwas grown and traded
Agricultural Advantages:Agricultural Advantages: Surplus of food meant more dependable supplySurplus of food meant more dependable supply More dependable supply meant greater population growthMore dependable supply meant greater population growth Population growth led to social stratification as societies became Population growth led to social stratification as societies became
more sedentarymore sedentary Specialization of labor and private property are natural results of Specialization of labor and private property are natural results of
settled lifestylessettled lifestyles Specialization of labor led to more complex and hierarchical Specialization of labor led to more complex and hierarchical
social structuressocial structures
Source: http://www.worldmapsonline.com/UnivHist/30242_6.gif
Questions for Comprehension & Questions for Comprehension & DiscussionDiscussion
Why do you think the development of agriculture occurred around the same time in several different place?
In what ways did Neolithic peoples dramatically improve their lives?
Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact Environmental impact of farming far outweighed that of hunting-Environmental impact of farming far outweighed that of hunting-
gatheringgathering Seeds and animal species selected artificially by humans came to Seeds and animal species selected artificially by humans came to
dominate regions dominate regions Forest clearing and irrigation vastly increased the “ecological Forest clearing and irrigation vastly increased the “ecological
footprint” on the landfootprint” on the land Land cleared, ditches made for irrigation, diverted water flow Land cleared, ditches made for irrigation, diverted water flow
became more common as communities grew over the earth’s became more common as communities grew over the earth’s surfacesurface
Each region featured its own staple cropsEach region featured its own staple crops In the Nile River Valley wheat, barley, and cotton were commonIn the Nile River Valley wheat, barley, and cotton were common In China, farmers cultivated millet and wild riceIn China, farmers cultivated millet and wild rice In Mexico, corn, beans and squash served as the basic dietIn Mexico, corn, beans and squash served as the basic diet Peru tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes were cultivatedPeru tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes were cultivated
CivilizationsCivilizations Agriculture required greater effort and organization so long-lasting Agriculture required greater effort and organization so long-lasting
settlements formedsettlements formed Early societies grew into civilizations Early societies grew into civilizations
Civilizations were result of # of factors:Civilizations were result of # of factors: Permanence of populationPermanence of population Agricultural stabilityAgricultural stability InnovationInnovation
Cities grew out of cultural sophistication and social complexityCities grew out of cultural sophistication and social complexity A city is more than a large group of people living together. A city is more than a large group of people living together.
The size of the population alone does not distinguish a village from a cityThe size of the population alone does not distinguish a village from a city Cities have specialized workers/artisansCities have specialized workers/artisans Cities have complex institutionsCities have complex institutions Some people became responsible for record keepingSome people became responsible for record keeping Technological innovationsTechnological innovations
Cities offered:Cities offered: Protection and defenseProtection and defense Points of trade and economic activityPoints of trade and economic activity Centers of political leadershipCenters of political leadership Enabled exchange of ideas, information, values and religious beliefsEnabled exchange of ideas, information, values and religious beliefs
Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider
What accounts for different definitions of What accounts for different definitions of civilization?civilization?
What precipitated the shift from nomadic What precipitated the shift from nomadic to settled lifestyles?to settled lifestyles?
How did the shift from hunting and How did the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture change society?gathering to agriculture change society?
What impact did geography have on What impact did geography have on ancient and classical civilizations?ancient and classical civilizations?