The Neolithic Revolution is an important event—particular for archaeologists and biological anthropologists—that has produced a vast number of changes to both human society, physiology, and the environment itself. The Neolithic Revolution was the invention of agriculture.
The Neolithic Revolution occurred approximately 12,000 years ago. The transition from foraging methods of subsistence to agriculture allowed groups to create permanent settlements, rather than travelling nomadically in search of food. This switch to sedentary societies had huge effects on human culture, and also produced physiological and environmental changes.
The Neolithic Revolution included both plant and animal domestication. This involved the intentional selection of …show more content…
Significantly, the widespread practice of agriculture led to vast societal changes. Agriculture led to the establishment of permanent settlements, since seasonal travel with animals and plants was no longer as necessary. Before, storage of food was difficult or impossible because nomadic lifestyles meant that all stored food would have to be transported. Therefore, agriculture also led to the ability to have surpluses of food. Surplus food led to the possibility of the group supporting higher populations, as well as the creation of specialization—meaning more and more individuals were not needed to be involved in the agricultural process. Instead, more individuals were free to devote their time to other things, such as art, politics, religion, and others. Many anthropologists and historians believe that this led to class specialization.
Besides societal changes, the Neolithic Revolution also had biological effects. Greater numbers of people living in smaller spaces meant that infectious diseases were more easily transmitted. As well, many animal-borne diseases were quickly spread to humans due to closer quarters than before. Many academics also argue that the Neolithic Revolution and the sudden dietary changes that accompanied it also led to nutritional and physiological changes in
The Neolithic Revolution occurred approximately 12,000 years ago. The transition from foraging methods of subsistence to agriculture allowed groups to create permanent settlements, rather than travelling nomadically in search of food. This switch to sedentary societies had huge effects on human culture, and also produced physiological and environmental changes.
The Neolithic Revolution included both plant and animal domestication. This involved the intentional selection of …show more content…
Significantly, the widespread practice of agriculture led to vast societal changes. Agriculture led to the establishment of permanent settlements, since seasonal travel with animals and plants was no longer as necessary. Before, storage of food was difficult or impossible because nomadic lifestyles meant that all stored food would have to be transported. Therefore, agriculture also led to the ability to have surpluses of food. Surplus food led to the possibility of the group supporting higher populations, as well as the creation of specialization—meaning more and more individuals were not needed to be involved in the agricultural process. Instead, more individuals were free to devote their time to other things, such as art, politics, religion, and others. Many anthropologists and historians believe that this led to class specialization.
Besides societal changes, the Neolithic Revolution also had biological effects. Greater numbers of people living in smaller spaces meant that infectious diseases were more easily transmitted. As well, many animal-borne diseases were quickly spread to humans due to closer quarters than before. Many academics also argue that the Neolithic Revolution and the sudden dietary changes that accompanied it also led to nutritional and physiological changes in