Origin of Farming: how hunter gatherers became farmers

The origins of farming, or agriculture, are linked to the Neolithic Revolution, a period about 12,000 years ago when humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled, agricultural societies, with the domestication of plants and animals in the Fertile Crescent.

The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture, starting around 12,000 years ago.

Fertile Crescent:

One of the earliest regions where farming emerged, encompassing parts of present-day Turkey, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Asia Minor.

The process by which humans selectively bred plants and animals to suit their needs, leading to the development of crops and livestock.

After its origins in the Fertile Crescent, agricultural practices spread to other parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent, China, and the Americas.

Timeline:

12,000 years ago: The Neolithic Revolution and the beginnings of agriculture.

8,000-6,000 BCE: Evidence of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent.

9,000 BC: Domestication of wheat, barley, and jujube in India.

Wheat, barley, lentils, almonds, cattle, gazelle, deer, horses, and wild boars were among the early domesticated plants and animals.

The development of agriculture led to settled communities, surplus food, and the rise of civilizations.

Archaeological excavations in the Fertile Crescent and other regions have unearthed tools, artifacts, and remains that provide insights into the origins and early practices of agriculture.