Location of the Food Production Revolution 8000 BCE to 3000 BCE The Fertile Crescent Location of the Food Production Revolution 8000 BCE to 3000 BCE

Where? Arc of desert oases of grassy uplands of Palestine, Syria, and Western Iraq and Iran

How? As the last ice age retreated (approx. 10,000 BCE), areas of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East turned into desert. Animal herds migrated to a few permanent river valleys. Man “The Hunter” followed. By 8,000 BCE, humans in these river valleys were growing grains and domesticating animals.

Jericho Location: Jordan Age: 9000 years ago (7000 BCE) Size: 2-3,000 people in 3 hectares Claim to Fame: Oldest known town in the world; Well-built houses, but no pottery

Jarmo Location: Northern Iraq Age: 8500 years ago (6500 BCE) Size: approximately 150 people Claim to Fame: Oldest evidence of the cultivation of wheat and barley and domestication of animals

Catal Huyuk Location: Southern Turkey Age: 8000 years ago (6000 BCE) Size: 6000 people in 12 hectares Claim to Fame: Mud-brick houses that were entered by their roofs; Level of civilization: 14 cultivated plants, obsidian trade; art that portrayed animals/humans somewhat realistically

First River Valleys & Food Production Revolution Yellow River: China millet and rice cultivation began approx. 5,000 BCE

Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers [Mesopotamia/Sumer]: Iraq approx. 3,500 BCE

Nile River: Egypt approx. 3,400 BCE

Indus River: region of India and Pakistan approx. 2,500 BCE