Final answer:
The early method that allowed early humans to grow food such as maize, squash, beans, and pumpkin was agricultural cultivation, part of the Neolithic Revolution. This transition included simple techniques evolving into advanced practices like crop rotation and the use of permanent metal tools, leading to permanent settlements and complex societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early methods practiced by early humans to grow their own food such as maize, squash, beans, and pumpkin was b) Agricultural cultivation. This practice is often referred to as the Neolithic Revolution, a significant turning point in human history where societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to settling and farming. Early agriculture was simple, with seeds planted by hand or with basic tools, and progressed to include important technological advancements like crop rotation, the use of manure as fertilizer, and the development of permanent tools made of metal.
Early agriculturalists experienced substantial changes in social organization, wealth acquisition, and belief systems. Permanent settlements and the ability to produce food surpluses allowed for growth in population and more complex societies. The domestication of plants and animals made these transformations possible, leading to a more settled way of life and the eventual rise of human civilizations.