Question

Which statement best describes how the lives of women changed after the Neolithic transition from prehistoric times?

A. Family structure became rooted in the belief of a matriarchal (female dominated) society.
B. Society changed from patriarchal (male dominated) to matriarchal, leading to an increase in the rights and authority of women.
C. The belief that women are intellectually superior to men began to spread leading to the liberation of women across the globe.
D. Society changed from matriarchal to patriarchal, leading to a loss of rights and authority for women.

Answer 1

Society transformed from matrilineal to patriarchal after the Neolithic transition, causing women to lose rights and authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the Neolithic transition, the best description of how the lives of women changed from prehistoric times is that society changed from matrilineal to patriarchal, leading to a loss of rights and authority for women. This shift can be seen in various archaeological records and through the evolution of social norms and practices across different cultures. As societies transitioned to agricultural lifestyles, men often took on roles associated with the fields and public life, while women were relegated to the domestic sphere, leading to increased disparities in gender roles and a hierarchy favoring men.

In the Neolithic communities of Europe, before the Indo-European pastoralists' invasion, societies were peaceful and gynocentric with high priestesses leading communities. However, after the invasion, these matriarchal societies were replaced by patriarchal societies. This pattern of the decline in women's status and authority is evident across various cultures as agriculture and sedentary lifestyles became prevalent.

In summary, the Neolithic Revolution began a transformation that eventually led to women being assigned to private and domestic roles, while public and leadership roles were increasingly dominated by men, furthering the development of patriarchal social structures.

Answer 2

The transition from the Neolithic period to agricultural societies is best described by the move from potentially matrilineal or matriarchal systems to patriarchal systems, which diminished women's rights and authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best statement to describe how the lives of women changed after the Neolithic transition is D. Society changed from matriarchal to patriarchal, leading to a loss of rights and authority for women. During the Neolithic era, archaeological evidence suggests that some societies may have been matrilineal or even matriarchal where women were on par with men and might have had a significant role in religious and community life. However, with the advent of agriculture and the rise of urbanization, gender roles became more rigid and defined, often relegating women to domestic responsibilities while men took on roles requiring travel and physical strength, such as plowing fields and defending settlements. Over time, this division of labor led to patriarchal structures that limited women's public roles and rights.

It is crucial to note that the existence of ancient matriarchal societies is still debated among scholars, and current understandings are heavily influenced by newer archaeological interpretations and feminist theory. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that the transition to agricultural societies facilitated the solidification of patriarchal systems at the expense of women's status in many parts of the world.