For over 150,000 years, early modern humans were hunter-gatherers. They were nomadic - they would follow herds of animals to survive, foraging for plants along the way. This was their only chance of survival. Around 9000 B.C., humans began to experiment with farming plants and domesticating animals. The invention of agriculture was monumental, as they could now settle down into small communities. This change in behavior is known as the Neolithic Revolution. There are several key developments that piloted the Neolithic Revolution: agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the division of labor.
Agriculture might be the most crucial development that let to the Neolithic Revolution. Humans first developed communities around 10,000 B.C. in the Middle East, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. This location is known as the Fertile Crescent, due to the abundance of plants and animals that grew in the area. At that time, survival revolved around hunting and foraging. However, the climate conditions began to change, and around 1000 years later, the Fertile Crescent was quickly not providing enough for the population at the time. In order to adapt, agriculture was developed. Instead of hunting and gathering, humans began to plant a variety of different crops. Eventually, wheat and barley became the crop of choice, especially in the towns of Jericho and Çatal Hüyük, the two most prominent Neolithic Settlements. Without agriculture, these
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Domesticating animals gave humans a steady supply of food, clothing, and bones. Humans began to domesticate wolves around 10,000 B.C., with sheep, goats, and pigs following around 2,000 years later. These animals were bred to provide more food and to become easier to cultivate. Again, the Neolithic settlements of Jericho and Çatal Hüyük both had domesticated animals. This act allowed settlements to grow much larger and more