The Agricultural Revolution

Around 10,000 years ago, or about 8000 B.C.E., the climate was warming from an Ice Age. As it did, humans began to plant crops and raise animals for food. This change, called the Agricultural Revolution, began in the Middle East. Because of this development, people began to produce a surplus of food. For the first time in human history, one part of the population produced enough food to feed everyone. This allowed part of the population to specialize in non- food producing activities. This specialization change transformed every aspect of human life, causing innovations and trends that have existed ever since:

• The population grew. People lived in larger settlements that eventually developed into cities.

• People became highly skilled at one job. Artisans made tools and weapons. Merchants engaged in trade. Priests conducted rituals.

• People developed new technology. They learned how to improve irrigation systems, make use of the wheel in transportation, and replace stone with metals such as bronze and iron for making tools and art.

• People created more extensive governments and taxation. The desire to keep records about trade and taxes led to the invention of writing.

• Competition for resources and the accumulation of wealth increased group conflicts. However, the development of government provided a more peaceful way to settle conflicts between individuals.

• People became more sharply divided into social classes by wealth and occupation. In general, the status of women declined.