New stone age definition

The New Stone Age, also known as the Neolithic period, is a period of human history that spans from approximately 10,000 to 4,000 years ago. During this time, humans began to transition from a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one that was more sedentary and agricultural.

Here are some key characteristics of the New Stone Age:

  1. Agriculture: People began to domesticate plants and animals, leading to the development of settled communities and the growth of cities.
  2. Settlements: Permanent settlements were established, often with stone or mud-brick houses.
  3. Food production: People began to grow their own food, such as wheat, barley, and legumes, and to raise domesticated animals like sheep, goats, and cattle.
  4. Craft specialization: As people settled in one place, they were able to specialize in specific crafts, such as pottery, weaving, and metalworking.
  5. Social hierarchy: Societies became more complex, with the emergence of social hierarchies and the development of leaders and chiefs.
  6. Trade: Trade networks developed, allowing for the exchange of goods and ideas between different regions.
  7. Technology: New technologies emerged, such as the wheel, the plow, and metalworking.

Some of the key innovations of the New Stone Age include:

  1. The wheel: The invention of the wheel revolutionized transportation and allowed for the construction of more complex societies.
  2. Agricultural tools: The development of tools like the plow, sickle, and hoe made it possible to cultivate crops more efficiently.
  3. Metalworking: The discovery of metals like copper, bronze, and iron allowed for the creation of stronger, more durable tools and weapons.
  4. Pottery: The development of pottery allowed for the storage and transportation of food and other goods.

The New Stone Age was a time of significant cultural, social, and technological change, and it laid the foundation for the development of more complex societies in the future.