What defines the Neolithic period?

The Neolithic period is primarily defined by the onset of the Agricultural Revolution. This significant transition involved the shift from nomadic lifestyles based on hunting and gathering to more settled ways of life that centered around farming and the domestication of animals. During this time, humans began to cultivate crops and raise livestock, which led to the establishment of permanent settlements and, ultimately, the development of complex societies.

The Agricultural Revolution brought about profound changes in human behavior, social organization, and economies, marking a pivotal point in human history. It laid the groundwork for the rise of civilizations by enabling population growth and the specialization of labor, which were crucial for the subsequent advancements in culture and technology.

While a focus on hunting and gathering characterizes prehistoric life prior to the Neolithic, this period itself is distinguished by agricultural practices. Similarly, while stone tool technology was significant during the Neolithic, it overlaps with earlier prehistoric periods. The early use of metal occurred later in technological chronology, primarily in the Bronze Age, rather than the Neolithic. Therefore, the agricultural developments are the most defining characteristic of the Neolithic era.