Final answer:
Different cultures developed fishing rods to secure a steady food source from abundant fish populations, influenced by the availability of resources and the evolutionary necessities of trade and settlement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why different cultures and civilizations developed fishing rods is tied to the fundamental necessity of securing a reliable food source. Fishing rods or primitive fishing technologies such as nets with sinkers, hooks, and other tools were developed out of the abundance of resources like fish available in various regions. For instance, as seen in the Maedun cave findings from 27,000 BC, early humans utilized stones with grooves as sinkers for their nets in order to catch small fish in shallow streams. As societies began to trade and settle along trade routes, the need for specialized technologies to support their ways of living, including fishing, became essential. Furthermore, the development of fishing tools also allowed for the harvesting of resources to support non-food-related aspects of society, such as the creation of jewelry and trade items.