First Agricultural Revolution By Carlie Ladda and Nat Snyder http://woodly11.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/ag-pg1.jpeg
When did the First Agricultural Revolution Happen? It began roughly in 6,000 BC It was proven though that certain places in Southeast Asia were farming roughly 2,000 years before that. After the Ice Age, which was 90,000 years ago the world started to warm up again, the first agricultural revolution began. http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/farming/farming.jpg
Who was Involved? The agricultural revolution is believed to have begun in the Middle East in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley People in Guatemala or Mexico were probably some of the first to separately learn how to farm in the Americas People in Southeast Asia also were independently involved. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ghgonline/turnpoint/images/world/jpgs/maps/mideast.jpg
What Happened? People began to settle down and create permanent homes Farming was discovered along with the domestication of animals Food was stored Cities and towns were created and expanded Ideas and discoveries were shared Pottery and tools were made Economies were formed and some people became wealthy http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470&entryid=801169&issublink=true&fromsearch=false http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184473&entryid=657482&issublink=true&fromsearch=false
Farming Tools such as the hoe were invented for the soul purpose of farming. Also the woven basket was used to store grain and assist with the farming. Stone age people used only the biggest seeds to help insure successful planting. Cattle were used to speed up the farming process so the people then had more time to do other things. http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470&entryid=801168&issublink=true&fromsearch=false http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470&entryid=801147&issublink=true&fromsearch=false
Animal Domestication The first domesticated animals were most likely dogs Sheep, goats, and cows were also domesticated The pig was the first to be domesticated in China in 7,500 BC The northern part of Eurasia domesticated the reindeer Llamas were domesticated in South America Domestication of these animals was very important because it gave people a large variety of food and also gave them fur, milk, and strength to be used on the farm. Hunting was no longer necessary because they already had the animals. They could then use the fur for clothing. As people moved into different parts of the world due to weather or other causes, the animals spread out also. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egyptian_Domesticated_Animals.jpg http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470&entryid=801170&issublink=true&fromsearch=false
Why did this Happen? There are several theories describing why the Neolithic Revolution happened. -Oasis theory – caused by a drought; later proven incorrect -Natural Habitat Zone Hypothesis – areas with great natural habitats expanded and progressed (Jared Diamond) -Marginal Zone Hypothesis – Population grew and as people joined lands with others certain people who did not have as much wealth were pushed out into places with less natural foods. They then had to learn to farm in order to survive. -Some believe that competition boosted agricultural advancement. People with more food and therefore trade were of a higher class. -Mostly chance http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470&entryid=801167&issublink=true&fromsearch=false
How did this Event Shape the World? People settled down into one home and towns and cities were created It allowed the population to grow because more people could now be supported The ceremonies and beliefs of hunting people centered on the animals they hunted. Since the new stone age people now started to farm, they believe that there were gods as nature. Such as the rain god and sun god. They believed that these gods controlled their harvests. Certain forms of government were then formed around these new kinds of beliefs. If it wasn’t for the Neolithic Revolution, civilization as it is would not be the same, for we would still be hunting and gathering. This revolution allowed us to create permanent homes and form communities which eventually turned into successful civilizations such as Egypt and China.
The Gods of the Neolithic Revolution Ancient Sumerian Gods and Goddesses An-God of the Heavens Ki-Goddess of the Earth Enlil-God of air and stones Utu-Sun god Ninhursag-Mother Earth, the source of all life Ereshkigal-Goddess of darkness and gloom http://personalpages.tds.net/~theseeker/Yahweh_files/image003.gif
Works Cited BC-CLIO Social Studies Databases: Login. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Eras/Display.aspx?storyid=1184470>. "Diamond (Jared) Guns Germs and Steel Summary." McGoodwin Family Website Home Page. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://www.mcgoodwin.net/pages/gungermsteel.html>. "Lecture 1: The Neolithic Revolution." OSU Excavations at Isthmia. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://isthmia.osu.edu/teg/hist50402/lec01.htm>. "Neolithic Revolution -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_Revolution>. "The Neolithic Revolution." Free Website Hosting – Angelfire free website templates to make your own free website. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/kushana/Neolithic.html>. "The Origins Of Civilizations." World History International: World History Essays From Prehistory To The Present. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://history-world.org/neolithic.htm>. "Sumerian Gods and Goddesses." World History International: World History Essays From Prehistory To The Present. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. <http://history-world.org/sumerian_gods_and_goddesses.htm>.