Agriculture of the Neolithic Age

[Narration]
The Neolithic Age was the period when mankind began to use special stones as tools to aid their survival. We have here with us today a Doctor of Archaeology, Dr. Kim.

[Doctor]
Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you. As mankind evolved to stand upright, the freedom of our hands permitted us to find new uses for them. What did we do with our hands? We held stones with them. And we threw these stones at animals that threatened our safety. So stones were first used by humans for protection. Man also discovered that hitting two stones together incidentally resulted in the production of a sharp-edged tool.

[Tourist]
Can you explain the tools on display here please? Are these stone axes?

[Doctor]
Yes, you’re right. The stone axe was a very advanced tool. During the Neolithic Age, people made the tools they needed for everyday tasks out of stones.

[Tourist]
Oh, there is a small groove! Did they tie these stones together by laying rope in the grooves?

[Doctor]
Indeed they did! They tied the stone head to a wooden handle. Stone, rope, and timber: they used these three materials to make tools.

[Tourist]
But what kind of rope was used to attach the head to the handle? Did they have rope during the Neolithic Age?

[Doctor]
Well, it was during the Neolithic Age that a kind of 'rope' was invented. I imagine that it was quite by chance that they started to twist strands of tree bark into ropes. The ropes were used for a variety of purposes, for example, to catch rabbits or to go fishing. As you can see, stone sickles were also attached to wooden handles with rope.

[Tourist]
Were the axes used to catch animals?

[Doctor]
They look too blunt to use to catch animals, don’t they? The tools that you see in front of you have one thing in common. They were all used as farming implements.

[Tourist]
Oh, I see. If they were used for farming, I guess this is evidence that man had begun to cultivate the land.

[Doctor]
Yes. That’s true. When man survived by hunting and gathering food, people had to constantly move in search of new food sources. However, with the advent of farming, they began to settle in one place and sow seeds. Groups of people settled together and these small villages eventually grew into towns and even into big cities.

Agriculture also inspired technological advances. In order to harvest enough grain to survive all year round, successful farming was imperative. Innovative tools of good quality were essential. Making ropes out of natural fibers and cutting grooves into stones: these two technological advances ultimately led to the creation of the stone axe.

[Tourist]
With the development of better tools, more production was possible. Surplus produce resulted in private possession by people with more power, which in turn led to the creation of social classes. This is why agriculture was actually the beginning of epochal changes for mankind. What do you think?

[Doctor]
You appear to have a good knowledge of history. How about we now take a look at some of the weapons that were used in battle during this period? Follow me.