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
way of life was hard to maintain at this point seeing as how they had to follow the animals and plants as the seasons changed. Not only was it difficult moving from place to place constantly, their home life was difficult too. The men, being more robust were left to hunt. They were usually faster than the women and could lift more, so this became their primary role. The women assumed the role of caring for the children along with cooking and other house hold chores. The women as well did some of the gathering. Ultimately what made this difficult was that the men were never home as the women were night and day. In the 1800s farming and the study of agriculture began, leaving old ways in the past. Now that the old way of life had come to an end people could begin to live more sedentary lives, meaning settling permanently. People were now living in fixed dwellings that would soon turn into villages; also more babies were being born which led to a population increase from that of the approximate 150 small communities in the past. New social structures were created as well was cultural values were being recognized.
The two major components of the agricultural revolution were the domestication of plants and animals.
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
of that environment people fed them what they thought was necessary therefore they got bigger, fatter, and contained more meat. People domesticated animals not only for a food source. Cows and goats provided milk and other animals provided wool and leather to make clothing articles. These animals could also help with plowing the land when cultivating crops. Overall the domestication of plants and animals had a profound effect on human lives. If both were successful, people could in return build up enough food for storage and be able to provide for their families for lengthy amounts of time.
This time period was labeled a “revolution” because that was the effect it had on peoples’ lives.
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
hand needed the Gods to put forth plenty of deer in order to be able to provide food for their families. When it came time for a military system the society needed someone to tell them what to do and how to do it. The duties of the society became more difficult as the population increased therefore they needed someone to direct them. In conclusion they organized a political system to maintain order, to defend and protect external threads, and applied taxes. As the communities became more sedentary the people would develop different statues, paintings, and buildings. The farmers also used mathematics in the sense of weights and measurements to pay their taxes when buying a pint of wheat or a pound of wool. When it came time to tell the months apart or when spring and fall would arrive they used astronomy to develop calendars they could go by. In 3000 B.C.E. the Sumerians developed Cuneiform, the first writing system. This system was used in a sense of record keeping, telling stories, amusement, and to refer to past records. Most importantly their writing system was put to use so the future could learn from the past. All of the above previous elements equaled a civilization that grew from agriculture. The label “Agricultural Revolution” seems to fit perfect. This was the first agricultural revolution that produced major social change. This included a high population density, a standing army, trading, and most importantly man’s control over nature. This revolution put forth an important change in the way humans lived their lives. The new lifestyle was very beneficial and enlightening for the future generations. It has shown that today the techniques learned at this time still continue to improve but more importantly prosper.