64 i PERIOD 1 Technological and Environmental Transformations (to c. 600 B.C.E.)
- C—Agriculture in the Americas began around
5000 b.c.e., whereas that in the Eastern
Hemisphere had begun at least 3000 years ear-
lier. Agriculture in the Americas developed inde-
pendently (A). Animals in the Americas were
smaller than those in the Eastern Hemisphere
(B). Although food crops in the Americas dif-
fered from those in the Eastern Hemisphere, a
wide variety, including maize, squash, beans,
and cacao, was produced (D). Urban areas such
as those of Sumer predated urban areas in the
Americas (E). - E—Slash-and-burn cultivation resulted in the
migration of early agricultural peoples as the
soil lost its fertility. The Agricultural Revolution
developed independently throughout the world
(A) and at different times (B). The beginning
of agriculture was a gradual process (D) that
occurred in both the Eastern and Western hemi-
spheres, although at different times (C). - E—Women studied the growth of plants and
became the first farmers. As such, they were not
confined merely to child rearing duties (A). Men
handled the more strenuous duties of hunting
(B). Women’s role as farmers and child bearers
gave them an importance in neolithic society (C),
a role that was represented in the fertility statues
of the Neolithic Age (D).- A—The first cities arose in Sumer. Some neo-
lithic societies used tools of copper, bronze, and
later, iron (B). Societies were often stratified, with
elite classes, peasants, and slaves (C). Because of
the success of early agriculture, population rose
rapidly worldwide during the Neolithic Age (D).
Although many nomadic peoples changed to a
settled lifestyle in the Neolithic Age, nomadism
continues to the present (E). - C—Government arose from a need to cooper-
ate in major projects such as irrigation and flood
control. Early cities tended to embrace and extend
their governments to nearby agricultural settle-
ments (A). Religious leaders played a role in early
cities (B), residents were required to pay taxes or
tribute (D), and specialization of labor was com-
monplace (E).
❯ Answers and Explanations