WHAT WAS THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION IN AMERICA? - HISTORY - 2025

The Neolithic Revolution in America unfolded approximately 8000 years ago when, after the last ice age of the Holocene Period, a great climate change occurred.

This favored the settlement of the first communities and with them the beginning and development of agriculture and livestock.

Image via ihistoriauniversal.com

In the beginning of the Neolithic era, humans were engaged in gathering, fishing and hunting, but with the first settlements, one of the main characteristics of the Neolithic period appeared. Among them, it stands out how man stopped being nomadic and became sedentary.

The first populated areas were Mesoamerica (central and southern Mexico, and northern Central America) and the central Andes.

You may be interested Stages of Prehistory: Stone Age and Neolithic.

Neolithic revolution arrives in America

Agriculture advances

Defying natural adversities, the first settlers created sustainable farming techniques. In Mesoamerica, trees were cut down and the place burned to create clearings in which to cultivate. The ashes were used as compost and channels were created for irrigation.

In the lakes of what is today the territory of Mexico, agriculture was highly specialized.

Reed rafts lined with fertile soil were made, which was extracted from the bottom of the lakes. These rafts were tied to trees or affixed with plants to the bottom of lakes. What was sown in these beds did not need irrigation.

In the areas near the Andes, the cultivation was carried out on terraces, practicing steps on the mountain. They fertilized the land with the excrement of the animals they raised. It was watered with melt water.

Quinoa, potatoes, cassava, squash, and beans were grown. Livestock was limited to raising alpaca and llama, which were used as draft animals. Their skins were used for clothing and building huts.

The man begins to be sedentary

The appearance of the first towns are shaping productive societies. The man who once came down from the mountains in search of prey to hunt, now establishes himself on the banks of the rivers making huts.

In this way the first economy is outlined. The crops began to have surpluses, which could be a bargaining chip for other inputs. This results in interaction with other neighboring tribes.

The artisans emerge

The farmer who had surplus crops was wealthy, but like the rancher, they needed tools that they did not have. Their solution was found by the craftsmen.

The artisan dedicated himself to making pottery, tools and fabrics. He exchanged the articles he manufactured for grains and fruits. This is how barter makes its appearance.

Class division

Preparing the soil for cultivation required a lot of effort. In this way the farmers begin to take possession of the land. In this way private property makes its appearance.

With these three elements, private property, barter, and surplus production, social inequality and wealth are created.

This is the seed for social classes to make their appearance in the later metal age. The Neolithic Revolution transformed man from a lonely nomadic predator to a member of a productive society.

References

1. The American Neolithic. (2014). Recovered from artehistoria.com.
2. Neolithic in America. (2017). Recovered from es.wikipedia.org.
3. Neolithic revolution. Recovered from historiauniversal.com.
4. The Neolithic Revolution in America. (2014). Recovered from yamaikoblog.wordpress.com.