1. Neolithic Revolution

2. Neolithic Revolution
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3. What is the Neolithic Revolution???
A revolution is a drastic change…
the invention of agriculture
changed the way people
lived forever.
One of the greatest
breakthroughs in our
history!

4. What was life like before the Neolithic Revolution. (2
What was life like before the Neolithic Revolution? (2.5 million to 8,000 B.C.)
The first humans were nomadic, they wandered from place to place, foraging for new sources of food.
Hunter-gatherers were nomadic groups whose food supply depends on hunting animals and collecting plants and berries (foraging).

5. Before the Neolithic Revolution…
The first inventions by humans were simple, stone tools to help them increase their food supply
Invented to meet their survival needs
spear/blade hammer stone hand axe

6. Paleolithic Art: cave painting, jewelry, sculpture

7. Role of Women…
Before the Neolithic Revolution, family structure was matriarchal, with women having a very important role in society.
Duties:
Gathering plants, nuts, berries, cooking the food over fire, making clothes and shelter, taking care of children and the tribal community

8. What was the Neolithic Revolution?
Neolithic age means “New Stone age.
The revolution was a shift from the hunting of animals and gathering food to the raising of animals and growing food.

9. What was life like AFTER the Neolithic Revolution??? (8,000-3,000 B.C.)
Agriculture was discovered
Life shifted from food-gathering to food-producing
Permanent settlements were created

10. What caused the Neolithic Revolution?
Change in climate
Rising temperatures would provide longer growing season and drier land
Larger populations
of people required
a larger amount of
food
Farming provided a
steady source of food

11. After the Neolithic Revolution…
Domestication of animals
Taming animals such as horses, dogs, goats, and pigs
Pastoral: Watch over and herd animals
Agrarian Lifestyle
Rural, Agricultural, Pastoral

12. After the Neolithic Revolution…
People began using subsistence agriculture
Growing enough food to feed your family or community.
Not for sale or trade!
People began to change their environment to meet their needs
Ex.- Irrigation Systems
To artificially supply land with water

13. Effects of the Revolution
Some people became artisans – crafted weapons and jewelry.
Communities began to form common cultures.
Common cultures eventually formed the first civilizations.

14. Farming develops in many places…
(usually around fertile river valleys)
Mesopotamia: Tigris and Euphrates River Valley
China: Yellow River Valley
Egypt: Nile River Valley
India: Indus River Valley
***Why do you think the first settlements began in river valleys?