Final answer:
The transition to intensive agriculture led to the development of ancient civilizations, major social changes including specialization of labor, the creation of writing, population growth, urbanization, and distinct social stratification with rulers and religious leaders often at the top.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition to intensive agriculture and the subsequent development of ancient civilizations led to numerous major social changes. The Neolithic Revolution allowed a portion of society to focus on farming, while others could pursue different tasks like construction, pottery, and trade. This specialization of labor supported the progression of society and facilitated the advancement of arts, such as the development of writing born out of economic needs related to agriculture.
Furthermore, as a direct result of agriculture, there was an increase in population growth and subsequent urbanization, leading to the establishment of complex Neolithic settlements. This shift from egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies to hierarchical agricultural ones dramatically altered social structures, prompting the domestication of animals and necessitating the abandonment of nomadic lifestyles for many.
With the advent of agriculture, social stratification became more pronounced, with rulers and religious leaders often positioned at the top of the social hierarchy, while laborers and farmers who enabled the society's survival fell to the lower tiers. Major contributions of the agrarian society include the creation of large-scale architecture, the rise of distinct social classes, and the cultivation of distinct cultures with their own practices, beliefs, and values.
In conclusion, the birth of agriculture not only revolutionized food production but also instigated a cascade of societal transformations that led to the rise of early civilizations with specialized labor, hierarchical social structures, and a shared culture that would pass down through generations.