The Emergence of Civilizations and the Agricultural Revolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to sedentary agricultural life and the emergence of early civilizations.

Agricultural Revolution (Jordbruksrevolusjonen)

The transition to farming plants and keeping livestock; called a revolution not because it occurred abruptly, but because its impacts were so massive, making it one of the greatest upheavals in human history.

Hunter-gatherer societies (Jeger- og samlersamfunn)

Small, egalitarian communities without a written language in which all humans lived until approximately 12,000 years ago, surviving by fishing, hunting game, and gathering roots, nuts, berries, and plants.

Sedentary lifestyle (Bofast)

The permanent settlement of humans that occurred when they began farming and raising livestock, enabling them to secure more food and support larger families with more children.

Division of labour (Arbeidsdeling)

The distribution of specialized work tasks that developed as human settlements expanded, tool production diversified, and metals were introduced into use.

Early civilizations (Sivilisasjoner)

Complex societal structures that emerged following agriculture, characterized by cities, states, tax-collection systems, written languages, and institutionalized religions with a priesthood.

Primary driver of early human migration

Hunting opportunities, which forced people to leave old settlements and relocate to wherever wild game moved, gradually spreading humanity across the Earth.

Key factor prompting the transition to agriculture

A shortage of game animals left to hunt, which likely pushed human groups to begin cultivating crops and keeping livestock for sustenance.

Norte Chico civilization

One of the world's earliest civilizations, located in Peru around 3000 BCE.

Olmec culture (Olmec-kulturen)

An early civilization that arose in Mesoamerica, dating from approximately 1400 to 400 BCE.