Unit 2- Module 5: Part 2

The transition from foraging to agriculture had profound effects on human life and societal structures.
Key statistics highlight the impact:
- World population grew from 4 million to 14 million between 12,000 and 5,000 years before present (ybp).
- This demographic change led to more villages and towns, indicating increased sedentism.
- The specialization of labor emerged, contributing to social distinctions and changes in health.

Civilizational Stress:
- Farmers experienced "Civilizational Stress,"
- Effects include tooth decay and reduced stature.
- Comparison of heights:
- Upper Paleolithic average height:
  - Male: 176 cm
  - Female: 164 cm
- Neolithic average height: 3-4 cm shorter than Paleolithic averages.
- Modern averages:
  - Male: 175.5 cm
  - Female: 161.8 cm
Compromised Food Security:
- Shift to less varied, lower-quality diets.
- Increased vulnerability to disease due to denser populations and agricultural practices.

Changes in health were noted as human settlements grew larger (e.g., example of Cahokia, Neolithic Illinois, 9th-14th centuries CE). This illustrates the relationships between urbanization and health outcomes.

Ehrenberg's Perspectives:
- In her work "Women in Prehistory," she delineates the differences between horticulture and agriculture:
- Horticulture:
  - Characterized by minimal use of plough and animals, with both men and women working together in fields equally.
- Agriculture:
  - Involves the use of ploughs, more animals, and predominantly male labor.
- Example: Sweet Potato Farming in Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.

Increased presence of domesticated plants and animals led to higher birth rates among women.
The reduction in the need for hunting decreased women's physical labor demands, allowing for more childbearing.
Men began to take over heavier agriculture-related tasks, including animal husbandry and field cultivation.
Resulted in:
- Patrilineal social structures replacing matrilineal ones.
- Changes in inheritance patterns, emphasizing possession of ploughs, animals, and irrigation works, which favored male dominance.

The transition led to increased economic stakes according to the specialization of labor.
Those who suffered economically from the changes were viewed as "losers" in this new agricultural landscape, creating disparities in power.
Competition emerged as different groups raided each other’s livestock and resources, escalating into conflict and war.

Critical Analysis by Jared Diamond:
- In his controversial essay, "The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race," Diamond critiques the switch to agriculture.
- He presents a revisionist perspective that questions the widely held belief in agriculture’s overall benefits to human societies, suggesting a more nuanced view of its consequences.
- Diamond's arguments are intended to provoke debate and reflection on the societal implications of agricultural practices vs. foraging lifestyles.