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?