Agriculture and permanent settlement are closely related developments in human history that began around 10,000 years ago, not 100,000 years ago. The transition to agriculture allowed for the establishment of permanent settlements, which in turn had several significant effects:
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Allowed Growth of Specialization and Trade: With a stable food supply from agriculture, not everyone needed to engage in food production. This allowed individuals to specialize in various crafts and trades, leading to the development of diverse occupations. Surplus food also made trade possible, as communities could exchange goods and services.
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Resulted in an Unlimited Resource Supply: While agriculture increased food production, it didn’t necessarily result in an "unlimited" resource supply. However, it did provide a more reliable source of food compared to hunting and gathering. This reliability contributed to population growth and the establishment of more complex societies.
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Encouraged Humans to Live a Sedentary Lifestyle: Contrary to encouraging nomadic lives, agriculture provided the basis for a sedentary lifestyle because people could settle in one place to tend to their crops and livestock.
In summary, the development of agriculture led to permanent settlements, which fostered specialization, trade, and complex societal structures, while also supporting a sedentary way of life.
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