The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies Prepare to take notes on your Key Concept 1 Packet Key Concept 1.2 The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies

Overview In response to warming climates at the end of the last Ice Age Settled agriculture appeared in several different parts of the world. More reliable food supply. Massive impact on the environment Populations increased Family groups gave way to village life and, later, to urban life Patriarchy and forced labor developed Pastoral people in Africa and Eurasia – become conduits for technological change 3 minutes

I. Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies About 10,000 years ago Led to development of new and more complex economic and social systems I. Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies 3 minutes

Factors “…food production ultimately resulted from a constellation of linked developments. First there was a decline in the availability of wild foods, especially animals. Decreases in big-game species, which were hunters’ first- choice preys, were brought about by an improvement in hunting skills and/or climatic change... A second factor is inversely related to the first: there was an increase in the availability of domesticable wild plants, which made steps to domestication more rewarding…Another variable was the development of technology to collect, process, and store foods. A fourth was the two-way link between the rise in human population densities and the rise in food production—as populations grew, food production became increasingly favored. A final variable is the ongoing competition among human societies such that those with more effective technologies prevailed. By sheer numbers and technological advancements, food producers were able to kill or displace hunter/gatherers.” Alan H. Simmons, 2011 3 minutes

Discussion To what extent was a the “Neolithic Revolution” a revolution? Revolution (noun) a :  a sudden, radical, or complete change b :  a fundamental change in political organization; especially :  the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed c :  activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation 5 minutes

A. First Villages Lands of eastern Mediterranean were first Mesopotamia Nile River Valley Sub-Saharan Africa Indus River Valley Yellow River Valley Papua New Guinea Mesoamerica Andes 3 minutes

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Spread of Agriculture 1 minute

B. Pastoralism Developed in various sites Domesticated animals Grasslands of Afro-Eurasia People were mobile Contributed to spread of culture 3 minutes

C. Domestication of Crops and Animals Different crops and animals domesticated in various core regions Depended on local flora and fauna Not all animals are domesticable 2 minutes

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D. Working as a community Agricultural communities Cooperation to clear land Create water control systems needed for crops 2 minutes

E. Environmental Degradation Drastic impact Pastoralists – grazing large number of animals on fragile grasslands Overgrazing leads to erosion Agriculture alters land Building dwellings requires clearing land 2 minutes

Discussion What were the effects of the development of agricultural societies? (Think SPICE) 3 minutes

II. Agriculture and Pastoralism Transform Human Societies 1 minute

A. Abundant Food Supplies Reliable surplus leads to population growth Frees people to work at other tasks Evidence: Pottery used to store grains after growing seasons 2 minutes

B. Specialization of Labor New class of artisans and warriors Development of elites Need for organization 3 minutes

C. Technological Innovations Improve agriculture, trade, transportation Pottery Plows Woven textiles Metallurgy Wheels Wheeled vehicles 3 minutes

D. Accumulation of Wealth Elite groups accumulate wealth Rulers use religion to legitimize their rule Create more hierarchical social structures Promote patriarchal forms of social organization 3 minutes 4 minutes

Analyzing Primary Sources What does this source tell us about the relationship between rulers and religion? “At that time the temple of the goddess Ishtar of Ninevah, my mistress, in the grounds of Emashmash—the old temple which Shamshi-Adad, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built—that temple had become dilapidated and fallen into ruin. With the wisdom of the god Nudimmud, the great lord, with the wide understanding which the god Ea had granted to me, for the adornment of the heroic nature of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress: with regard to that temple, I delineated its area, dug out its foundation pit, rebuilt it from top to bottom, and completed it. I made it larger than before. The excellent [shrine] I built in a splendid fashion for the abode of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress. I properly settled [her great] divinity in her shrine.” -Assurnasirpal II, Assyrian king (883-859 BCE 3 minutes