The Neolithic revolution is among the most significant events in human history. This is attributed to the fact that it marked the alteration of man’s way of life into the modern lifestyle we have today. The term ‘Neolithic revolution’ was developed in the 1940s by Gordon Childe to refer to the extraordinary changes that occurred in the everyday life of human beings due to the adoption of a more settled way of life. The Neolithic era was preceded by the Ice Age, which was characterized by low temperatures in most parts of the earth. At the time, most areas were inhabitable and thus animals were always on the move in search for food in warmer zones. In response to this, man had developed a nomadic lifestyle to keep up with the animal migration. However, progressive global warming instigated the Neolithic era, a period highlighted by higher temperatures and thus increased productivity of land. Man began domesticating plants and animals and in doing so, embraced a permanent way of life (Putterman, 2006).
The Neolithic revolution started in the middle east and later spread to other parts of the world (Clark, 2008). This era coincided with the late stages of the stone age, in which man had gained significant knowledge in the development and use of stone tools. With tools that made work easier and adequate arable land, man was now able to engage in farming activities. In view of this, the Neolithic revolution is also known as the agricultural revolution. Archeological evidence of this agricultural revolution have been dated back to around 12000 BCE. During this period, organized agriculture was noticeable in the middle east, in which wheat was grown in ancient Near East (Clark, 2008). With increase in available habitable land, these agricultural practices became widespread. Man also realized that domesticating animals provided an opportunity for greater control of natural resources. Therefore, in the stead of hunting, animal husbandry was initiated at around 9000 BCE, where animals were reared for various products including meat, milk, eggs and leather (Putterman, 2006). Over time, various agricultural advances were made, counting increased domestication of crop varieties and animal species. In addition, this modern way of life resulted in the development of art, writing, and more advanced technology. All these advances can be attributed either directly or indirectly to a more settled lifestyle. Therefore, the significance of the Neolithic revolution in modern sociology cannot be understated.
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The Neolithic era was stimulated by a wide range of factors. First, a nomadic lifestyle presented the disadvantage of an unpredictable and unreliable source of daily nourishment. Thus, rather than follow migrating animals, cultivating food on the increasing arable land and domestication of animals became a reasonable alternative (Clark, 2008). Moreover, drastic climatic changes had already made it difficult to fully rely on hunting and gathering of wild food. Lack of proper storage systems had also necessitated settling in fertile lands with reliable sources of water. A sedentary lifestyle presented suitable solutions and thus numerous opportunities for man. In view of this, the Neolithic age is now regarded as a transitional period for man. This revolutionary period resulted in various phenomenon. Notably, man began to settle into colonies supported by agricultural production. This greatly increased overall food production and thus boosted food security. Sufficient food supplies shifted man’s focus away from basic needs, creating more time for creative thinking (Putterman, 2006). Increased creativity resulted in rapid technological advancement, increased development of artifacts and advanced spirituality. As a cumulative effect of the new sedentary lifestyle and increased socialization, smaller colonies grew into civilizations which include the earliest cities ever discovered such as Sumer of around 3700 BCE. The Neolithic revolution had resulted in a new era of socialization for man.
In view of all these, human settlement played a big role in the revolution of the structure of human society. From a sociological perspective, one of the most interesting effects of the Neolithic revolution is its role in social stratification. Social stratification refers to the division of man into hierarchical classes based on factors like wealth, power, social status etc. Before the Neolithic era, social stratification was impossible since mankind had not yet been structured into organized groups. Adoption of a modern sedentary lifestyle provided suitable conditions for social interaction and human interdependence, resulting in social stratification. Initial stages of stratification within the new human society was in the form of division due to occupations. The rise of domestication resulted in separation of man into either farming or pastoral communities. The use of tools and development of new inventions significantly increased the efficiency of production. This meant that only a fraction of the population was required for food production, resulting in development of additional societal roles to enhance manipulation of resources. This was manifested in the form of division of labor. With division of labor came specialization, in which individuals were identified by their expertise in performing certain roles in society. Increased availability of resources also resulted in the development of distribution systems. This sparked trading activities, where goods were exchanged for other goods. The organization of man into social groups also created a suitable platform for offering of various services within the enclosed societies. Furthermore, after basic needs had been satisfied, there arose a need for accumulation of property. Consequently, the society was gradually subdivided into socioeconomic classes. Despite such subdivisions being closely linked to the Neolithic era more than 10000 years ago, they are still evident to date.
References
Putterman, L. G. (2006). Agriculture, Diffusion, and Development: Ripple Effects of the Neolithic Revolution. SSRN Electronic Journal . doi:10.2139/ssrn.945195
Clark, G. A. (2008). The Neolithic Revolution in the Near East: Transforming the Human Landscape by Alan H. Simmons. American Anthropologist, 110 (1), 143-144. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1433.2008.00018_70.x
https://historyplex.com/neolithic-revolution-timeline-effects-other-facts
