Final answer:
Agriculture brought changes including increased population, labor specialization, and a shift in lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes brought on by agriculture can be explained by three main reasons:
- Increased population: Agriculture allowed for a more stable and abundant food supply, leading to population growth. With reliable food sources, larger communities could be supported, leading to the establishment of settlements and the development of civilizations. For example, in the Fertile Crescent, people began planting grains and domesticating animals, which resulted in a more stable food supply and the specialization of labor.
- Labor specialization: As agriculture grew, new jobs and technologies emerged. Excess crops needed to be stored, processed, protected, and transported. Farming equipment and irrigation systems needed to be built and maintained. This led to the development of economies and the rise of social classes. The ruling class often relied on farmers for labor, while others could take on different tasks such as building, pottery-making, and trade.
- Shift in lifestyle: Transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural one brought about significant changes in the human experience. While hunter-gatherers typically spent around 20 hours per week acquiring food, agricultural societies spent more than 30 hours farming. This resulted in less leisure time and greater labor for women. However, agriculture also allowed for the development of writing, which became a key ingredient of civilization.