Question

Why were the Natufians able to live in year-round villages prior to the emergence of domestication

a. Because they could exploit their rich local environment with broad-spectrum foraging
b. Because their diet became hyper specialized to the locally growing foods
c. Because they diminished the population size of their villages
d. Because they traded with nearby populations that did develop domestication
e. Because they had a low calorie diet, relative to the average caloric intake of foragers

Answer 1

The Natufians lived in year-round villages prior to domestication because of their ability to engage in broad-spectrum foraging, which provided a stable and rich diet from the local environment. Over time, agriculture's benefits, such as supporting larger populations and creating surpluses, led to the Neolithic Revolution and a fundamental change in human societies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Natufians were able to live in year-round villages prior to the emergence of agriculture because they could exploit their rich local environment with broad-spectrum foraging. This foraging strategy involved utilizing a wide range of plant and animal resources, which provided enough sustenance to support stable communities. Their regional environment was fertile with wild edible plants and animals, enabling them to establish permanent settlements before adopting agriculture and constructing Neolithic villages.

Eventually, the benefits of agriculture, such as the ability to sustain larger populations and create food surpluses, became apparent. While hunter-gatherers had more leisure time and a diverse diet, the shift to agriculture significantly altered human societies. The first agricultural societies had to work much harder than their hunter-gatherer predecessors, but the Neolithic Revolution led to new technologies, more stable food sources, and the growth of towns and cities.