TRANSITION TO AGRICULTURE

Transition to Agriculture

Transition to Agriculture

Introduction

The agricultural transition took place over a period of more than ten thousand years. It started ten thousand to twelve thousand years ago and created a huge population growth. Different groups in various parts of the world began to produce their own food. This caused the humans to learn the practices of pastoralism and agriculture. These practices allowed humans to manipulate their environment to a greater degree than ever before. Agriculture encouraged closer social ties and the formation of long lasting settlements.

In the Middle East, wheat and barley cultivation began approximately around 8000 B.C.E then spread to the Balkans (6500 B.C.E). The Nile valley (6000 B.C.E), other parts of northeast Africa (5500 B.C.E) and then to continental Europe around (4000 B.C.E). Each region had its own agricultural traditions. For example, in Central Africa grew crops such as plantains, bananas, and yams while North and South America grew maize, beans and squash.

Thesis Statement

The most primitive forms of agriculture included migratory farming and slash-and-burn farming. The former consisted of a small-scale farming in single area for a brief time, then moving on when the soil was exhausted.

Discussion

Later, a more advanced form of planting, shifting agriculture, allowed farming communities to stay in the same area for longer periods of time. Farmers would plant some fields and leave others fallow, then the next season they would rotate. This kept the soil healthy and kept it from being stripped of al its nutrients. Other advanced techniques like fertilizing, irrigation, and mixing crop types were extremely helpful. Near the end of the Neolithic Era, the fermentation of alcoholic beverages, beginning with beer, ahd been discovered in the Middle East.

The Nile River helped farming and agriculture in Egypt. It helped by providing silt whenever there was a flood. The Nile River floods between June and October. Crops are usually harvested during the spring. The depth of the flood was 45 feet. After floods, there would be a fertile strip along the Nile river that was 12 miles wide. There, the Egyptians would plant and grow things such as vegetables and fruits. The Nile River is the longest river in the world. Farmers sophisticated irrigation systems and used dikes to maximize the use of the Nile River. The Nile River helped the Egyptians by supplying water for the farmers and their family.

Farming brought people together. During harvest season, everyone was made to gather the crops together. Economy was based on wheat and grains. The economy grew stronger because of irrigation. Irrigation led to an increased food supply. Irrigation helped water dry lands with streams, canals, or pipes. Farmers planned for the seasonal flooding. They also used wooden plows led by a pair of oxen, but by 2800 BC, they learned how to make bronze tools. They used tools made of flint to cut wheat. They threw seed into the ground to grow fruit and vegetables. Farmers led farm animals loose to trample seeds into ...