Food Supply
The Paleolithic Age was one of hunter-gatherers that had to search for enough food to eat. However, hunting animals and gathering plants did not lead to a reliable and stable food supply. Plants and animals would often become scarce (hard to find) when people stayed in one place too long. Thus, most people lived a nomadic life, moving from place to place.
It is the development of agriculture (farming) that marks the beginning of the Neolithic Age. People gradually learned that they could produce food by planting seeds. Over time, these first farmers cultivated (grew) the seeds that would produce the most food. By 4,000 B.C.E., farmers were growing corn in Mexico, rice in China, and wheat and barley in Israel. Also, sheep, dogs, goats, and cattle were tamed, or domesticated. These animals provided Neolithic people with resources such as milk, meat, and leather. Other animals, such as donkeys, helped carry heavy burdens over long distances.
It is the development of agriculture (farming) that marks the beginning of the Neolithic Age. People gradually learned that they could produce food by planting seeds. Over time, these first farmers cultivated (grew) the seeds that would produce the most food. By 4,000 B.C.E., farmers were growing corn in Mexico, rice in China, and wheat and barley in Israel. Also, sheep, dogs, goats, and cattle were tamed, or domesticated. These animals provided Neolithic people with resources such as milk, meat, and leather. Other animals, such as donkeys, helped carry heavy burdens over long distances.
Occupations
In the Paleolithic Age, people’s main job was to find enough food to survive.
During the Neolithic Age, however, the increased supply of food from farming freed people to develop new skills. In other words, a surplus (extra) of food allowed some people to stop farming altogether and focus on a specific skill that could be traded for food. This process of learning one particular craft is known as specialization of labor.
In the town of Catal Hoyuk in modern-day Turkey, people learned to spin thread and weave cloth. Artists produced jewelry and decorations for shrines to honor local gods and goddesses. Still others perfected making pottery, baskets, or crafting tools.
During the Neolithic Age, however, the increased supply of food from farming freed people to develop new skills. In other words, a surplus (extra) of food allowed some people to stop farming altogether and focus on a specific skill that could be traded for food. This process of learning one particular craft is known as specialization of labor.
In the town of Catal Hoyuk in modern-day Turkey, people learned to spin thread and weave cloth. Artists produced jewelry and decorations for shrines to honor local gods and goddesses. Still others perfected making pottery, baskets, or crafting tools.
Population/Settlement
During the Paleolithic Age, people traveled in bands of 20 to 60 people and lived in temporary settlements as they searched for food. Shelters were built to be portable, and used the materials available in the immediate area.
During the Neolithic Age, settlements became much larger and permanent. Farming provided reliable food, and allowed many people to live in one place for a long time. A few settlements would grow to thousands of people. In the town of Catal Hoyuk, farmers cultivated more than 14 different kinds of food plants for a city of about 8,000. Other people built new homes, decorated shrines, and made tools. Burial of the dead also changed, and special graves were created. For example, the dead of Catal Hoyuk were buried underneath the floors of their houses.
During the Neolithic Age, settlements became much larger and permanent. Farming provided reliable food, and allowed many people to live in one place for a long time. A few settlements would grow to thousands of people. In the town of Catal Hoyuk, farmers cultivated more than 14 different kinds of food plants for a city of about 8,000. Other people built new homes, decorated shrines, and made tools. Burial of the dead also changed, and special graves were created. For example, the dead of Catal Hoyuk were buried underneath the floors of their houses.
Resources and Trade
During the Paleolithic Age, people usually used only the resources in the immediate area. They rarely traded with other groups. The trade that did occur tended to be limited.
In the Neolithic Age, trade among settlements in the Near East and Mediterranean Sea grew. Trade grows as people seek resources not in their immediate area. One resource that was widely traded was the black, volcanic glass called obsidian. It made excellent blades. Another popular trade good was hematite, which was a red ore used as make-up. To get these resources, traders would travel overland by foot with donkeys, or by boats along rivers and seacoasts.
The end of the Neolithic Era came with the discovery of metals. First, Neolithic people worked copper to make tools. It was stronger than stone, but dulled quickly. They quickly learned, however, that by mixing copper and tin an even stronger metal could be created - bronze. Bronze became the key metal that would lead to the development of civilizations and gives its name to a new age - the Bronze Age.
In the Neolithic Age, trade among settlements in the Near East and Mediterranean Sea grew. Trade grows as people seek resources not in their immediate area. One resource that was widely traded was the black, volcanic glass called obsidian. It made excellent blades. Another popular trade good was hematite, which was a red ore used as make-up. To get these resources, traders would travel overland by foot with donkeys, or by boats along rivers and seacoasts.
The end of the Neolithic Era came with the discovery of metals. First, Neolithic people worked copper to make tools. It was stronger than stone, but dulled quickly. They quickly learned, however, that by mixing copper and tin an even stronger metal could be created - bronze. Bronze became the key metal that would lead to the development of civilizations and gives its name to a new age - the Bronze Age.