International Studies(History) - Essay Example

The migration of technology and cultures can be represented by the Semites, Indo-Europeans, and Chinese. While there is mingling of cultures, agricultural advancement also takes place in isolation. Still, there is widespread and diverse opinion about the roots of the revolution and the spark that ignited this great change. The fragmented historical record reveals that the Neolithic Revolution was propelled by the confluence of a number of positive feedback loops. Positive feedback loops in nature dictate that a small change instigates another force, which magnifies the original change.

It is often debated whether the population expansion dictated more agricultural production, or if the increase in the availability of food resulted in more people. Prior to the Neolithic period, man domesticated dogs, presumably for the purpose of hunting (McNeill, 1963, p.8). This would be followed by the domestication of the "cow, sheep, goat, pig, and horse" (Diamond, 1999, p.159). In each case the animal served a purpose, such as transportation, packing cargo, or as a source of food. However, the keeping of animals also allowed the tribe to become less nomadic and more sedentary in their lifestyle, and demand that the tribe cultivate its plant food sources.

As the animals provided work and food, the need to feed them would necessitate agricultural techniques that would form a positive feedback loop to increase the available food supply and expand the population. As tribes began to settle in one area, the production of food became the paramount concern. Large draft animals made the plow and large-scale tillage possible by 4000 BC (Diamond, 1999, p.89). These improvements would allow the formation of villages and permanent residences occupied year around.

Plant breeding and selection for the best producing crops could take place. This would allow a larger population and would make long-range expeditions more likely as they would be able to