Final answer:
Artifacts such as neolithic grindstones, farm buildings, and remains of agricultural tools provide evidence that farming led to the settlement of communities and the development of complex social structures and trade, pivotal in the rise of civilizations approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artifacts that help us understand that farming became a significant activity in human history include agricultural tools such as plows, remains of ancient farm buildings, and neolithic grindstones used for processing grain. The discovery of these artifacts demonstrates the shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities, marking the beginning of what we know as the Neolithic Revolution, about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.
Farm buildings like barns, fencing, grain silos, and pollens found in tended soils show evidence of settled farming practices and agricultural advancement. Stone tools, pottery, and stratigraphic changes in archaeological sites provide evidence of more sedentary living patterns, cultivation of specific plants, food and grain storage, and the development of trade and social structures as some individuals became specialized in crafts, such as pottery and metalwork, due to surplus food production.
The societal changes brought about by farming led to increased complexity in social structures, with accumulations of wealth, property, and social divisions based on these material possessions. These changes were critical in the move towards more permanent settlements, urbanization, and the eventual rise of civilizations.