AIM: What were the Far-Reaching Implications of the NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION (NEW STONE AGE)? Do Now: Explain the drawbacks of the Paleolithic Revolution

Paleolithic Life Nomadic and hunter-gatherer lifestyle. FOOD INSECURITY – no guaranteed source of food. Impossible to form settled societies. D. No social advancement possible. E. An Ice Age killed off many people and species of plant life. F. Hard to maintain population stability.

II. Dawn of the Neolithic Period Neo (new) + Lithic (stone) = NEW STONE AGE. About 10,000 to 8,000 BCE. USE OF AGRICULTURE Was it intentional? Accidental? We don’t know! Climate also warmed – possible to grow Far-Reaching Implications https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhzQFIZuNFY

A STEADY SOURCE OF FOOD. COMBINED WITH HUNTER-GATHERING, A MORE VARIED DIET. POSSIBILITY OF GROWING MORE FOOD THAN YOU NEED AT THE TIME, SO YOU CAN STORE FOOD = SURPLUS. ABILITY TO STAY IN ONE PLACE AND BEGIN TO BUILD A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.

The Neolithic (Agricultural) Revolution Humans began producing food Tamed & domesticated animals for their use (dogs, goats, etc.) Sickle invented for cutting grains; pottery used as containers Crops grown People began settling into communities

Agricultural Revolution Invented plow and trained oxen to pull it Used fertilizer Invented the loom (to make cloth) Invented the wheel, bricks, calendars Warfare began as people competed for land and water Believed in gods

Emergence of Civilization Early farming villages developed into complex societies known as civilizations

III. The Domestication of Animals Domestication = keeping animals (taming them) for food. Another source of food (protein). C. Growing plants and grains + animal protein = better diet and LONGER LIFESPAN.

IV. SEDENTARY FARMING SEDENTARY (not moving; in one place). Slash-and-burn method of clearing land (burning down an vegetation to clear way for crops. First crops were probably GRAINS (adaptable and hardy and easy to store). Sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. Animal hides and wool provided clothing.

V. Where did the Neolithic Revolution Begin? Probably in MESOPOTAMIA – the area between the TIGRIS and EUPHRATES Rivers (modern-day Iraq). C. From there, spread to the FERTILE CRESCENT in modern-day Middle East and Northern Africa.

VI. Spread of Farming Agriculture probably developed independently in other places (trial and error?) and soon there was farming in a number of places.).

B. Different crops in different parts of the world, but the same ideas: (a) food security plus (b) surplus. C. Development of farming tools (hoe, plow, rake) D. Next step: Using animals to assist in agriculture (such as oxen and cattle)

V. Home Sweet Home Development of HOUSING and formation of VILLAGES. Improved SOCIAL RELATIONS as people worked together to grow and store food. DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION (bringing water to the crops) and FERTILIZATION. Development of COMMON STORAGE AREAS.

River Valley Civilizations Earliest civilizations were in river valleys Nile River in northeastern Africa Tigris & Euphrates rivers in Middle East Indus River in India Huang He in China Men & women did specific jobs There was a form of government

The Economy of a Civilization Artisans (workers skilled in a craft) became more productive & creative Metalworkers created bronze, a very strong metal Started to trade over long distances Led to cultural diffusion = the exchange of goods, ideas, and customs between different cultures

The Rise of Cities Government officials oversaw the collection & distribution of crops Professional soldiers were hired to guard the territory & trade routes Led by a king Developed a writing system Was first invented by priests as a way of recording religious gifts Later, used to record battle victories and laws

E. Also, special areas for burying the dead. F. Possibly, special areas for religious observance.