Transition to Agriculture and Sedentism

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the transition from foraging to agriculture and the ensuing effects on ancient communities.

Sedentism

Settled life in one place, without domestication.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition to agriculture leading to the domestication of plants and animals.

Natufian Culture

An early culture in the Middle East, present from 15-11.5 thousand years before present (ky bp) characterized by sedentism and foraging.

Jomon Culture

An early culture in Japan, present from 12-2.3 ky bp, known for its pottery and intensified foraging.

Okanagan Culture

An indigenous culture in the Northwest coast of the US/Canada, existing from 3 ky bp to present.

Factors contributing to agriculture

Elements like climate change, cultural pre-adaptations, population growth, and sedentism that led to agriculture.

Pleistocene Epoch

The geological time period from 2.6 million to 11.5 ky bp, marked by ice ages.

Holocene Epoch

The geological time period from 11.5 ky bp to present, characterized by interglacial conditions.

Agricultural Revolution

The significant shift from foraging to farming and herding that occurred during the Neolithic period.

Domestication

The process of adopting other species for human use by controlling their life cycles and reproduction.

Tell Abu Hureya

An ancient community in the Euphrates valley, existing from 13,000 to 9,000 ybp, known for their pit houses.

Catalhüyük

An ancient community in Turkey, existing from 9250 to 7400 ybp with cube-like dwellings and religious imagery.

Sickle

A blade used to gather grain, significant in the transition to agriculture.

Pastoralism

The practice of herding and animal husbandry.

Intensification of Foraging

The increase in the exploitation of a wider range of wild foods, often due to growing populations.