Neolithic Domestication

At first, our ancestors lived a nomadic lifestyle; moving around constantly, following herds, and hunting and gathering in order to find sustenance. The transition from a nomadic lifestyle to an agrarian society was not an easy transition, for it changed the way of life for humans drastically. This transition happened in different parts of the world at different times. We call this period the Neolithic or Agricultural Revolution. The Neolithic Revolution might not have happened in parts of the world if not for three very key factors; the domestication of plants, the availability of animals, and geography. Although the availability of animals helped to advance societies development into an agrarian society, it is overshadowed by the greater importance of the …show more content…
The domestication of plants provided a source of sustenance that was more reliable and less dangerous than hunting or gathering. The steady supply of food soon became a food surplus, which allowed people to settle and form larger groups. In time, the surplus of food became so great that, “many people topped producing at all, making instead tools and other goods that farmers needed, and for which they gave them food in exchange” (Knox). That is called specialization and from specialization emerged trade, the exchange of goods and ideas. Thus, the Neolithic Revolution was underway. While many would argue the availability of animals and geography was more important to the Neolithic Revolution because it helped to ensure the agrarian society flourished and developed, the domestication of plants was the key factor that made the Neolithic Revolution possible, giving the foundation for an agrarian society. Without a foundation, like a house, the agrarian society would not have been possible. The success of farming relied on geography and the availability of animals, which in turn became key causes of the Neolithic