Describe the significant changes brought about with the introduction of agriculture.

With the introduction of agriculture:


(i) More people began to stay in one place for even longer periods than they had done before. Thus permanent houses began to be built of mud, mud bricks and even stone. These are some of the earliest villages known to archaeologists.

(ii) Farming and pastoralism led to the introduction of many other changes such as the making of pots in which to store grain and other produce, and to cook food.

(iii) Besides, new kinds of stone tools came into use. Other new tools such as the plough were used in agriculture.

(iv) Gradually, people became familiar with metals such as copper and tin. The wheel, important for both pot making and transportation, came into use.

In history, the period from the early times to 10,000 B.C. is called the Palaeolithic period. The chief characteristic features of this period are stated below :

(i) During this period man had started working in co-operation with other fellow beings for the hunting work and  self-protection against the wild animals. This way the community life had started.

(ii) In  this age man had started making the rough stone tools like hand-axes and choppers.

(iii) There are some evidences in history which show that during this period man had developed the art of painting.

(iv) The Palaeolithic man had not as yet learnt agriculture and domestication of animals. He was a food gatherer and a food producer.

The Mesolithic Period was between the Palaeolithic Period and the Neolithic Period. The Period between 10,000 B.C. and 7,000 B.C. is known as the mesolithic period. The main characteristics of this period are mentioned below :

(i) During this age man had invented the small tools like spearheads, arrow heads etc.

(ii) The man of Mesolithic Age had started taming the dogs for the hunting purpose.

(iii) The man of this age was still a food collector and not a food producer. He used to hunt the animals and gather the natural vegetation for his food.

The lessons: 


1. Early man made many significant changes in his way of life to fulfil his necessities i.e. satisfy his hunger, to protect himself from the effects of changing seasons and to have shelters against the wild animals.

2. Such changes were caused by his discovery of fire, beginning of cultivation and invention of wheel and the methods of spinning and weaving.

3. The discoveries of the early man have helped the modern man to make progress in life. We can learn from the early man the way of self-defence and to fulfil the necessities of life. In this way we can improve our standard of living.