Final answer:
The statement describes the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution, an era when humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement, ushering in significant social and technological transformations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'In the Middle East, people began to settle in small communities and practice agriculture' best explains the beginning of B. the Neolithic Revolution. This period marked a profound transformation in human society from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled agricultural lifestyles. The adoption of farming and the domestication of animals led to larger populations, specialized labor, and the establishment of more complex societies.
Sites such as Çatalhöyük and Jericho offer insight into these early agricultural communities, showcasing advancements in art, architecture, and social organization. This revolution began roughly twelve thousand years ago and occurred independently in various regions, leading to the cultivation of region-specific crops like wheat and barley in the Near East, millet and rice in China, and maize in Mesoamerica.