Final answer:
The Neolithic Revolution marked the transition to agriculture, which allowed for greater food production and population growth but also led to reduced leisure time, changes in social structures, and the rise of wealth and social hierarchies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The adoption of agriculture by early humans, commonly referred to as the Neolithic Revolution, brought significant changes to their way of life. Among the pros were the ability to feed larger populations, the development of labor specialization, and the rise of more sophisticated settlements. Conversely, some of the cons included a loss in leisure time, especially for women, a move away from hunter-gatherer egalitarianism, and the beginning of wealth accumulation leading to social stratification.
The shift towards agriculture and animal domestication increased the caloric output of human societies by remarkable amounts compared to hunting and gathering. This change was essential for allowing family sizes and overall population levels to expand dramatically. However, not all societies embraced this new mode of subsistence; some indigenous communities continued hunting and gathering as it was more suited to their needs and environmental conditions.
As societies transitioned to agriculture, they experienced an increase in labour specialization, with some becoming artisans or traders, further contributing to the formation of organized civilization. On the downside, this also established inherited wealth and social divisions.