The Pros and Cons of the Neolithic Revolution Essay

Introduction In the 1930s, V. Gordon Childe proposed that the shift to food production was one of the two major events in human history that improved the condition of human societies. Childe described the origins of agriculture as a å“ ²eolithic Revolution.But the shift from hunting and gathering to food production was not as advantageous to humanity as Childe believed. Although there were benefits, there were also serious drawbacks, and humans paid a price for the advantages of agriculture. The Neolithic, the period in history in which food production became widespread, began around 10,200 B.C, first appearing in Southwest Asia, and lasted until 4000 to 2200 B.C. The cultivation of vegetables and domestication was becoming†¦show more content†¦(Haviland et al 2011: 241) Trade increased and many settlements became wealthy. These wealthy communities could support some people as artists and priests. Catal Hyuk is an example of astounding neolithic art, much of which adorns religion shrines. (Levack et al 2009:5) Metalurgy first made an appearance in Europe during the Neolithic. (Levack et al 2009:16) Architecture improved and in many areas dwellings were made with sturdy supplies like stone and brick. Some villages, particularly in Southwest Asia, were surrounded by impressive stone walls for protection against enemies. (Leonard 1973:18) Disadvantages of Food Production Sanitation and Disease People living in sedentary villages in the Neolithic experienced worsened health and mortality. Sedentary life brought with it sanitation problems like garbage and human waste accumulate, which contributed to disease. The close association between humans and animals was also key to the transmission of many infectious diseases. Higher mortality rates were offset by increased fertility. (Haviland et al 2011: 249) Dependence on the Environment When humans turned to agriculture, they had to depend on the weather for crop production and a good harvest, which did not always turn out to their favour. Neolithic farmers faced drought,Show MoreRelatedGeography Exam Review Essay1411 Words   |  6 PagesHow was it facilitated by European colonialism? What are Multinational Corporations (MNCs)? What is free trade? What are the WTO, World Bank and IMF, and what do they do? What are the pros and cons of free trade? What was the Neolithic Revolution? What are hearths? What is diffusion? What was the Green Revolution? What is carrying capacity? What is democratization, and how is it being facilitated? What is geopolitics? Know the three geopolitical eras we discussed, and their characteristics.