Why was the development of agriculture such a major turning point in the development of humans, their societies, and their settlements? Provide specific examples, including how geography impacted early settlements.
I'm not sure what to say or where to start
Let's start with what you know about this answer.
I'll be glad to help you from there.
I know agriculture allows us to easily get food now rather than having to hunt and gather it. It also allowed people to focus on things they wanted like religion, government, art, etc.
Great start! Here are more details.
https://www.ancient.eu/Mesopotamia/
http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp363-ss14/2014/02/05/ancient-egyptian-agriculture/
You might also Google ancient civilizations
Okay, thank you Ms. Sue!
You're welcome, Taryn.
No worries, I can help you with that! When discussing the development of agriculture, its impact on human societies, settlements, and the role of geography, there are several key points to consider.
1. Reliable food production: Agriculture allowed early humans to transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled agricultural lifestyle. Rather than relying solely on hunting and gathering for food, they began cultivating crops and domesticating animals. This shift provided a more stable and predictable food supply, reducing the risk of starvation and facilitating population growth.
2. Surplus food production: Agricultural societies were able to produce a surplus of food, meaning they could grow more than they needed to feed themselves. This surplus allowed for specialization of labor, where individuals could engage in activities other than food production. Some people could become artisans, traders, or rulers, leading to the development of more complex social structures and specialized occupations.
3. Increased population and urbanization: With a reliable food supply and surplus production, populations could grow larger and more concentrated. People began settling in permanent villages or towns rather than constantly moving in search of resources. This led to the development of larger and more organized communities and eventually the rise of cities.
4. Social stratification and hierarchy: The surplus food produced by agriculture enabled the emergence of social classes and hierarchies. The control of agricultural resources often meant greater power and wealth, leading to the development of elites who could establish and maintain systems of governance or religious institutions.
Now, let's discuss the impact of geography on early settlements:
- Fertile land: Agricultural development heavily relied on fertile soil for successful crop cultivation. Some areas, such as the Nile River Valley in Egypt or the fertile crescent in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and Syria), had naturally fertile soil due to geographical factors like nearby rivers or favorable climate conditions. These areas became early centers of agriculture and human settlement.
- Climate and water availability: Geography influenced the types of crops that could be grown and influenced settlement patterns. In arid regions, such as ancient civilizations in the Indus Valley or the Mayans in Central America, civilizations thrived near river valleys where irrigation systems could be developed to support agriculture.
- Natural barriers: Geographical features like mountains, deserts, or bodies of water acted as natural barriers, limiting interactions and migrations between different agricultural societies. These barriers contributed to the formation of distinct cultures and civilizations.
Overall, the development of agriculture was a major turning point in human history, as it transformed our way of life from a nomadic existence to settled societies. Geography played a significant role in determining where agricultural settlements could thrive and shaped the social, economic, and political structures that emerged.