The Significance of Agriculture in Early Human Civilization

The Significance of Agriculture in Early Human Civilization Over the course of human evolution, there has been no greater single development with as profound and far reaching effects as that of the development of agriculture. Sustainable agriculture drove human civilization from a hunter-gatherer society to the settled and centralized society we know today. The advent of modern agriculture techniques enabled early man to settle in one area and develop their own food and raw material needed for survival and sustainment. Such developments eliminated the need for small bands of hunters and gatherers to forage for food. Hunter-gatherer societies were constantly on the move in search for food and shelter. Constant movement and migration†¦show more content†¦Irrigation was of particular importance to the early Mesopotamians. â€Å"For the development of man, the control of natural water resources and the utilization of water so controlled for the development of agriculture were no less important than either the discovery of the prac tical uses of fire or the discovery of the potential productivity of the earth or land†2. There is archeological evidence to suggest that grain was being grown along the Tigris and Euphrates as early as 4000 BC. The growing of grains and other food directly led to the rise of the Mesopotamian civilization. It can be shown that writing first developed around 3500 BC as a result of agriculture2. There began to develop commercial relationships between those who grew grain and those who used it. Mesopotamian farmers were not only growing grain and dates, but also keeping livestock such as sheep and goats. There is evidence to show this in the form of artwork from the period to demonstrate the importance of crop cultivation and animal husbandry in the area2. â€Å"There can be no doubt that the type of land use markedly affected the social and political institutions of the people of the valley†2. The first codified laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi, were written in Mesopotamia and spoke extensively on agriculture. Additionally, many of the gods and goddesses of Mesopotamia were devoted to the harvestShow MoreRelatedTransitions From Hunter-Gatherer To Pastoralist Society837 Words   |  4 PagesAs societies develop, many changes occur that help the progression of a better civilization. While some changes are subtle, others are incredibly dramatic and alter the course of human history. Few changes of this significance have occurred and one of these more notable changes appeared in the era of the Hunter-Gathers. 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