How did technological advances in agriculture allow early civilizations to develop and sustain themselves over long periods of time?
PLEEEEEASE HELP!!!!!!!!
I AM STUMPED!!!!!
When people didn't have to spend all of their time obtaining food, they had time and energy for arts, literature, and government.
Hi Ms. Sue. Sorry to bother you but can you plleeeeaaase put ore information to that sentence?
http://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/agriculture-civilization
Technological advances in agricultural allow early civilizations to develop and sustain themselves over long periods of time by providing new opportunities for growth in the communities. The advances allow the communities to feed more people and people sustain themselves by growing their own crops and feeding themselves.
Don't worry, I'm here to help! Technological advances in agriculture played a crucial role in the development and sustainability of early civilizations. Here's an explanation of how these advances allowed them to thrive over long periods of time:
1. Domestication of Plants and Animals: The process of domestication involved selectively breeding plants and animals for desirable traits. Early civilizations learned to cultivate wild plants, turning them into more productive crops with higher yields. Similarly, they domesticated wild animals for various purposes, such as providing meat, milk, wool, and assistance in farming. This provided a stable and reliable source of food and resources.
2. Irrigation Systems: Many early civilizations developed sophisticated systems of irrigation to control the supply of water to their crops. By diverting water from rivers or constructing canals, they were able to bring water to fields, even in areas with limited rainfall. This allowed them to cultivate large quantities of crops and maintain consistently high agricultural productivity.
3. Crop Rotation and Soil Fertilization: Ancient farmers learned the importance of maintaining soil fertility. They implemented crop rotation techniques, where different crops were grown in a specific order over several seasons. This prevented the depletion of soil nutrients and increased overall land productivity. Additionally, they used organic materials, such as manure and compost, to enrich the soil and replenish essential nutrients.
4. Tools and Techniques: Technological advancements led to the development of new farming tools, such as plows, s, and sickles. These tools made farming more efficient and productive, reducing the amount of labor required and increasing yields. Moreover, civilizations discovered and refined techniques like terracing, which involved creating leveled platforms on hillsides to maximize arable land and prevent soil erosion.
5. Storage and Preservation: Early civilizations developed techniques for storing and preserving surplus food. They built granaries and used methods like drying, curing, fermentation, and salting to store food for longer periods. This allowed them to ensure a stable food supply, even during seasons of scarcity or environmental fluctuations.
By harnessing these technological advancements, early civilizations could cultivate larger quantities of food, support growing populations, and establish settled communities. This, in turn, enabled them to develop complex social structures, engage in trade, build cities, and pursue other activities, leading to their long-term sustainability.