One of the most momentous developments
in human history was the domestication of plants, which we now call as
agriculture, and animals, known as pastoralism, and the rise of permanent
settlements in place of nomadic tribes. This era is known as the Neolithic Age.
The main distinguishing characteristic
is the relocation of civilization in river valleys. The rich soil alongside the
banks of the rivers was the perfect breeding ground for the developing
technological advances in pastoralism and agriculture. These civilizations were
also larger groupings of permanent abodes.
Around 3000 B.C, the
Neolithic people discovered the process for creating bronze tools and weapons,
and canal systems that could drain the massive floods that sometimes broke the
river banks. The building of this canal system would have required organization
and cooperation among people on a massive scale, which most likely lead to a
system of government.
As the productivity of
agriculture, less people were needed to work in the fields. These people who
weren't needed to farm then become artisans, or merchants or traders and
production of all sorts was able to increase, thereby providing a better
standard of living for all. Religiously, the people in the Neolithic Age began
believing in an afterlife.
Somehow, Neolithic people
learned how to plant and raise crops and keep and raise livestock for food. Now
people were put in the situation of living together permanently and as a result
much cooperation was needed for survival and civilizations with government
systems and skilled artisans and merchants started to rise.
