Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Revolution

by Brandon Gibbs

​The Development of Agriculture

​

• The development of agriculture between 8000 and 5000 B.C. caused early people to give up their nomadic lives and settle in villages.

• Although this change occurred gradually, it flourished in the Neolithic Age and became known as the Neolithic Revolution.

• During this period, labor became specialized and divided; trade developed; and gender roles shifted. The discovery of metals led to periods known as the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

Multiple Choice

The Neolithic Revolution was a shift from hunting-gathering to ____________

• advancements in technology

• Systematic Agriculture

• the end of civilization

• nomadic lifestyles

​Domestication and the Neolithic Revolution

​•  

- Plants

o   Crops provided a source of food more reliable than hunting and gathering. Plant domestication: Cereals such as emmer wheat, einkorn wheat and barley

- Animals

o   Animals provided a reliable source of meat, milk, wool, and labor. Domestic pigs were bred from wild boars, for instance, while goats came from the Persian ibex.

Open Ended

What was domesticated for consistent human use during the Neolithic Revolution?

​What is specialization and what made it possible?

Specialization is the performance of different jobs by different people. It was made possible by the surplus food supply resulting from large-scale agriculture.

​

​​Why is specialization necessary for civilization?

​Specialization allows for the development of an economic system based on trade.

•   Cities grow wealthier and more complex; emerging needs support an increase in job variety.

Multiple Choice

Food surpluses in a Neolithic village

• caused the entire population to become obese.

• were not stored properly and spoiled, so people starved to death.

• made the village susceptible to raids from nomadic tribes.

• made it possible for people to do things other than farming.

Multiple Choice

Having sufficient food brought an end to

• the Ice Age.

• the New Stone Age.

• nomadic ways of life.

• farming villages.

Development of the River Valley Civilizations​

​

• As the Neolithic Age ended, human and physical geographic factors influenced the development of complex river valley civilizations.

• Many of these early civilizations were governed by monarchies or theocracies. •Historians have identified six basic characteristics of civilizations: cities; governments; religion; social structure; writing; and art.​

Multiple Choice

What are the six basic characteristics of a civilization?

• cities; government; religion; social structure; writing; art

• cities; labor; religion; economy; writing; art

• use of metals, weapons, houses, food, religion, and art.

• vehicles, use of fire, nomadic life style, hunting and gathering, and technology.

Open Ended

What might be the biggest motivation for nomads to turn to a settled life?

Open Ended

What might have been the major challenges of settlement life?