Inventions & Discoveries · Farming and food

Neolithic Revolution

Also known as First Agricultural Revolution

The Neolithic Revolution, or First Agricultural Revolution, was the transition of many human cultures from hunting and gathering to farming and settlement, which began in the Fertile Crescent between 10,000 and 8000 BCE. Farming also arose separately in other regions, among them China, New Guinea, Mesoamerica and three areas of Africa. Surplus food supported denser settlements and specialised labour, and provided the basis for centralised administrations and writing. Diets narrowed, however, and studies find that people grew shorter after the transition.

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First known: c. 10,000 BCE
Where: The Fertile Crescent

Also arose independentlythe Yangtze, China (13,500–8,200 years ago); northern China (c. 6000 BCE); New Guinea (perhaps 8000 BCE); Mesoamerica (c. 7000 BCE); eastern North America (c. 2500 BCE); Ethiopia, the Sahel and West Africa

NoteDates for its beginning in West Asia range from about 12,000 to 8000 BCE.

Built onStone tools3.3 million years ago

Led toMudbrickc. 9000 BCE Clay tokensc. 8000 BCE Maizec. 7000 BCE Ricec. 7000 BCE Potato8000–5000 BCE Irrigationc. 6000 BCE Cottonc. 6000 BCE Silkc. 3500 BCE Ploughc. 2800 BCE Tea2nd century BCE Sugarc. 350 CE Green Revolution1940s–1960s

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