The Paleolithic period originated at the beginning of human life and continued until 10,000 B.C.E. During this time, humans lived in groups of twenty to thirty people and obtained their food by hunting and gathering. This form of food obtainment forced humans to travel frequently, which subsequently prevented permanent settlement. The reason for the transition from hunting and gathering to farming and domestication of animals remains unknown. However, there are several theories that attempt to explain why this turning point occurred. One controversial theory is that humans discovered that farming was safer than hunting and gathering. Another controversial theory is that climate changes in the Mesopotamian region reduced the number …show more content…
During this era, the tools made from metals and stone for agricultural use were developed. Professions such as priests, farmers, and shepherds took shape during this revolution. The revolutionary time period brought with it the gift of disease as well as the sedentary lifestyle and domesticating animals led to inadequate sanitary conditions. The earliest diseases transferred from animals to men included small pox, measles, and influenza. Moreover, the nutritional value of the food during this period was not as much as during the Paleolithic period due to hunting and …show more content…
In short, the consequences of the Neolithic revolution were enormous – affecting nearly every major aspect of human environment, economy, and culture. For that reason alone, we need to understand how and why the ancient peoples of the Middle East first settled down in village communities and domesticated plants and animals. Our best understanding is that a combination of environmental, demographic, and cultural factors played key roles in the origins of food