The Pros and Cons of the Neolithic Revolution free essay sample

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 ? eolithic 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 common in Southwest Asia between 10,200 to 8,800 B. C (Levack et al 2009:6), 5,000 B. C in Mesoamerica (Haviland et al 2011: 501), and about 4,500 B. C in Europe. (Leonard 1973: 21) Advantages of Food Production An Efficent Way of Life Food raising was a more efficient way of life than food collecting. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pros and Cons of the Neolithic Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Approximately 250 square miles of land in the near East were needed to feed a band of 25 foragers, six square miles could supply 150 inhabitants of an early village with adequate food supplies. People could choose the most valuable vegetable foods available togrow near their villages, and certain animals were domesticated and bred to humans advantage. Neolithic villages stored food and generally had surplus. (Leonard 1973: 8) Increased Population Farmers were able to secure surplus food to secure the needs of a larger population. Seniors and Children were no longer looked upon as a burden. In hunter-gatherer lifestyles, infants were were abandoned in times of hardship and famine and eldery people often could not survive the demands of nomadic living. In villages, seniors were respected and supported and children had roles as shepherds and field hands. (Leonard 1973: 25) Both of these situations contributed to an enlarged population. Inovations in Art, Technology and Culture In the Neolithic, the importance of cultural adaptation and the development of conceptual thought can be seen in symbolic artifacts and signs of ritual activity throughout the world. (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, plant disease, and pests. (Leonard 1973: 1) Loss of Leisure When humans chose agriculture they commited to a life of drudgery. Many Anthropologists believe that generally the nomadic hunter-gatherers of the mesolithic had sufficient food with much more leisure time and much less labour. (Leonard 1973: 18) Possible Drug-like Substances in Cereals and Milk Studies have found a link between a number of mental illnesses, including Schizophrenia and consumption of cereals and milk. Human reliance on cereals and milk is a recent phenomenon that was established suddenly, and some anthropologists believe humans did not evolve to consume these things. Groups have found that that wheat, maize and barley, produce exorphin and bovine milk produces casomorphin; therefore milk and cereals may be chemically rewarding and essentially, addictive. Some Anthropologist believe that this may be the reason these foods became so important in human sociteties. If this is the case, the diet of hunter-gathers was probably more nurtitionaly benefecial to humans. Agriculture and animal domestication began in Southwest Asia around 8000 B.C and then sprang up in Europe and Mesoamerica some time later. Food production proved to be very advantegous, resulting in surpluses of food, safer living environments, and technological, architectural, and cultural advancements. However with all its benefits, food production opened a pandoras box of problems that multiplied with the onset of civilization. In my opinion, some hunter-forager groups may not have adopted agriculture as a way of life because of the loss of leisure and commitment to drudgery and hard labour that agriculture demanded.