Final answer:
The Natufians are significant in examining the development of agriculture as they provide evidence of the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled agricultural one. Agriculture brought about significant changes in human societies, including population growth and labor specialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Natufians are significant in examining the development of agriculture because they provide evidence of a transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled agricultural one. The Natufian culture predates the adoption of agriculture, but their settlements were located in areas rich with wild edible plants and animals. It was the availability of these resources that likely allowed the Natufian groups to settle in one place and eventually develop agriculture.
The shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture, known as the Neolithic Revolution, occurred independently in different regions of the world. The Natufians in the Near East, for example, domesticated grains like wheat and barley. The transition to agriculture brought about significant changes in human societies including population growth and labor specialization, ultimately leading to the establishment of sophisticated Neolithic settlements.
Agriculture also had an impact on other aspects of life, such as religion. The surplus of food produced by agriculture allowed for the emergence of religious specialists who could devote time to performing rituals and constructing monuments. The focus of religious practices shifted to agricultural fertility and deities associated with it.