What was a key development during the Neolithic Revolution?

The Neolithic Revolution, often referred to as the Agricultural Revolution, is marked primarily by the domestication of plants and animals, which fundamentally changed human societies. This shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled farming communities allowed people to cultivate crops and raise livestock systematically. As a result, communities could support larger populations, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements.

During this period, various advancements in human civilization emerged, such as the development of farming techniques and the creation of social structures that came with a more sedentary lifestyle. The ability to produce food surpluses created the conditions necessary for population growth, trade, and the eventual formation of complex societies.

While the other options mention significant historical developments, they do not encapsulate the essence of what defined the Neolithic Revolution. For example, the invention of writing systems occurred later, as did the rise of urban centers and political states, which were consequences of the agricultural advancements initiated during the Neolithic. Similarly, the spread of metalworking technology was part of later phases of human development, particularly the Bronze Age, rather than the initial transformations of the Neolithic period.