The Neolithic Revolution Trivia Quiz

Answer: 10,000 BC

Before 10,000 BC, the world was populated by hunter-gatherers, who led a nomadic life searching for food. They lived in small groups, and worked hard to keep everyone alive, having very little time to do anything but secure food. When the last Ice Age ended, the subsequent warmer climate allowed for a new way of life. A revolution was about to occur!

Answer: Fertile Crescent

The Fertile Crescent is a region consisting of moist and fertile land. It includes the Tigris-Euphrates River Valleys, also called Mesopotamia, which are located in Iraq, and the Nile River Valley in Egypt. Syria, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Cyprus, and Lebanon also contain territories that are included in this region.

Answer: Domestication of crops

There is much discussion about how man learned to farm. It is quite possible that in the Fertile Crescent the land was so rich and fertile and the wild wheat and barley were so plentiful and thick, that harvesting was easy; enough food was produced that it was no longer necessary to search elsewhere.

It is believed that the domestication of crops led to the domestication of animals as well.

Answer: Homo sapiens sapiens

Actually the physical evolution of hominids to modern man occurred during the long Paleolithic Age. Modern humans ("Homo sapiens") are believed to have emerged approximately 200,000 years ago. By the time the Neolithic Revolution began, man's brain had been fully developed for quite a while and there had also been plenty of time for the experimentation and experience needed to make cultural advances. Great change was about to take place!

Answer: Stone

From the beginning of the Paleolithic Age tools and weapons were made from stone (usually flint). As time progressed, however, some tools, such as the scraper used for preparing hides, stayed the same, while others became more advanced and specialized.

Many of the tools from the Neolithic Age were polished rather than flaked, and different types of stone, such as schist, which is harder than flint, were used. Polishing gave the tools a better cutting edge, better strength, and better handling.

Answer: Dog

It is commonly believed that the dog was domesticated in Europe and Asia sometime between 30,000-15,000 BC, which actually predates domestication of crops. Dogs were probably used for hunting and pulling loads, as well as food. Because of their docile nature, it is believed sheep were probably the first animals bred for food.

This likely occurred in southwest Asia sometime between 11,000-9,000 BC. Then dogs also assisted with herding.

Answer: Permanent

One of the reasons why the domestication of crops was such a revolution was the fact that man no longer had to be a nomad, moving constantly in the endless search for food. People were able to develop permanent homes. With all the time saved from traveling and searching for food, man had time for other pursuits.

In addition, it became unnecessary for everyone to farm. New skilled professions were born!

Answer: Jarmo, Iraq

The settlement of Skara Brae in Scotland dates to 3180-2500 BC. Older than Stonehenge or the Great Pyramids, it consisted of eight homes and is considered to be Europe's most complete Neolithic village. Damascus, Syria, is commonly called the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

It dates back to approximately 6300 BC. Harappa in Pakistan dates back to approximately 6000 BC., and is one of the great cities that arose on the banks of the Indus River. Jarmo, in northern Iraq, dates to approximately 7090 BC., and is considered to be one of the oldest agricultural communities in the world.

At the peak of its settlement (c. 6200-5800 BC) it is estimated there were twenty-five homes and about 150 people.

Answer: True

It can be argued that with the advent of farming, life did not become that much easier. However, man no longer had to be constantly on the move. In theory, women were able to bear children more frequently in a sedentary lifestyle, and there was a higher chance for survival. Larger numbers of people could be fed and, on top of that, there was a surplus of food! This may have created the world's first population explosion. It is estimated that the world's population of 4-6 million people before the Neolithic Revolution increased to 60-70 million by 4000 BC.

Of course, the practice of trepanning, as shown in the picture, really didn't help increase the population! There was a definite shortage of pictures to use from this time in history!

Answer: True

Of course, a surplus of food created a need for storage. Because it became unnecessary for everyone to farm, specialization became possible. Pottery was developed that was not only useful, but also decorative. As society became more complex, other skills developed as well that would eventually lead to the creation of civilization.

So what was revolutionary about the Neolithic Age? With a food supply virtually secure, man could settle down in a permanent location. The population increased. Villages and towns grew. Agricultural needs stimulated the invention of new technology. It was no longer necessary for everyone to work to find food; other pursuits were possible. People could make pottery, weave cloth, and build houses. Trade developed. Social and economic classes emerged. Society became more complex. Civilization was born!