Neolithic Revolution

Civilization is born Nomadic societies domesticated animals Sedentary societies emerged Advantages Costs Steady food supply Heavily depended on crops Population growth Disease from close contact with animals Sedentary societies able to sustain other occupations Can’t easily leave the site

Basics of civilization Political (territory-based) institutions Organized religion Urban/administrative centers Hierarchical system of classes Taxation (far from universal) Division, specialization of labor Further technological development Trade (but note Paleolithic luxury trade) Writing (a late step!)

Areas of independent development SW Asia (wheat, pea, olive, sheep, goat) China & SE Asia (rice, millet, pig) Americas (corn, beans, potato, llama)

Agricultural Revolution expands First plow invented c.6000BCE; crop yields grow exponentially by 4000BCE. Pop. grows from 5-8 million to 60-70 million. Eventually agricultural populations begin to spread out, displacing or assimilating nomadic groups; farming groups grow large enough for advanced social organization

Jericho: Modern Israel, Catal Huyuk: Modern Turkey , First settled: First known cities Jericho: Modern Israel, First settled: 7000BCE Catal Huyuk: Modern Turkey , First settled: 7000BCE

(POSSIBLE B/C FOOD SURPLUSES!) First Towns emerge Towns require social differentiation: metal workers, pottery workers, farmers, soldiers, religious and political leaders. (POSSIBLE B/C FOOD SURPLUSES!) Served as trade centers for the area; specialized in the production of certain unique crafts Beginnings of social stratification (class)