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The First Human Settlements: How Advanced Were Neolithic Villages
The Neolithic Age, also known as the Neolithic Revolution, marked a turning point in human history. This period began around 10,000 BC and ended around 2000 BC, covering a wide area of Europe, Asia, Mesopotamia, and Africa. During this time, early human society underwent a dramatic change from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural and settled existence, which also marked the emergence of the first true villages.
As the climate changed, especially with the end of the last ice age, early humans came to rely on agriculture and began to selectively grow grains and raise animals. This transformation not only changed the food source of human beings, but also had a profound impact on the social structure and human lifestyle. Neolithic villages were not simple settlements, but highly socialized and organized communities whose advancement was unparalleled in the civilization of the time.
"Neolithic villages did not rely on a single way of life; each region had its own unique cultural elements and development paths."
In the Middle East, especially in Mesopotamia, agricultural cultures such as the "Babylonian culture" gradually formed as people left their hunting and gathering lifestyle. Forerunners of the Natufa culture, these communities began to establish permanent settlements in the Fertile Crescent and developed advanced agricultural techniques. This shift facilitated the gathering of large populations and the formation of complex social organizations.
Early villages such as Jericho and Göbekli Tepe show architectural styles and social structures that show that humans had demonstrated high levels of construction skills even in an era without metal tools. and organizational skills. These village societies were not just about survival; they established extensive trade networks and developed a community culture combined with religious beliefs.
"The stone circles at Gobeklitpe show that these communities already had forms of religious worship, marking a further development of human culture."
In addition, the Mehrgarh culture in South Asia demonstrates the sophistication of Neolithic villages, where there is evidence that people had already begun to practice agriculture and animal husbandry. The social structure of these villages demonstrates the management of land and the allocation of resources, showing the understanding and adaptability of humans at that time to the environment.
In Europe, Neolithic culture also covered major areas from southeastern Europe to northwestern Europe. Research shows that the formation of early agricultural society is closely related to human migration and cultural exchanges. For example, Goa is one of the representatives of early agriculture. This transition from primitive hunting and gathering life to settled agriculture laid the foundation for later civilization.
"European Neolithic villages demonstrate a fusion of architecture and art, and many of the pottery and sculpture discoveries reveal the social organization and culture of the time."
More importantly, the social organization in the Neolithic Age was not uniform, but adapted to local conditions, with villages in different places displaying different cultural characteristics. In sub-Saharan Africa, pastoralism dominates the local economic and social structure, as confirmed by archaeological discoveries.
With the formation of villages, people's social structure became more complex and social classes clearly emerged. At this time, humans not only focused on survival, but also began to seek expressions of cultural and spiritual significance, which was fully reflected in the religious beliefs and celebrations of many villages.
Looking back at the history of the Neolithic Age, we can't help but wonder: Did the construction of these early villages lay the foundation for human civilization? How did humans at that time find ways to survive and develop in the face of environmental challenges?
