The Neolithic Revolution: The Causes Of The Neolithic Revolution

In the Paleolithic era that preceded the Neolithic era and revolution, farming and domestication of animals were virtually nonexistent. To obtain food, families had to relocate with herds of wild animals; they also had to relocate when the plant supply was depleted. The vast majority of the population consisted of hunters and gathers, so the tools of that time period were used for hunting and gathering purposes. These tools were simple stone tools made by chipping away at one stone with another stone. Although writing with an alphabet system had not entered society, there is evidence of Paleolithic artwork such as carvings of women and animals and cave drawings. The purpose of these artifacts is not known, however many scholars believe

However, it is generally accepted that there was not one singular cause of the Neolithic Revolution. Most scientists agree many factors played a role in the advancement of civilization. One theorized aspect is a biological evolution of the human brain. This biological theory suggests the human brain mutated and caused a socio-economical change that led to more advanced tools and farming techniques. Therefore, the Neolithic Revolution occurred because humans developed the mental ability to cause the revolution. Conversely, some research suggests the evolution of tools and domestication of plants and animals led to dietary changes that impacted human growth and brain development. Another aspect that is suspected to have played a role is a shift in behavior. There were many technological and social changes during the Neolithic Revolution; scholars believe the changes indicate a change in behavior. A demographic change is also considered a factor in the Neolithic Revolution; as the population grew, there was more competition between groups of people for food and other essentials. Although domesticated farming allowed people to be more sedentary, evidence suggests Neolithic people remained somewhat mobile; this mobility spread ideas from the Neolithic Revolution to other peoples and cause the Neolithic Revolution to be a wide-spread

The United States produces enough food through cultivation to feed over ten million people. Irrigation and fertilization are widely used to grow crops. People no longer hunt and gather for their food out of necessity but for sport. Advanced tools exist that allow people to more proficiently function throughout their day to day lives; weapons have evolved from simple axes and daggers to more advanced guns. Communities are heavily built upon trading goods and services; community bonds are shown during times of sorrow such as funerals. Writing and literacy are common, and access is available to the majority of the world’s population. The Neolithic Revolution pushed society into the socially advanced world that exists