The European Neolithic (ca. 7000 – 1700 BCE) marks the most crucial turning point in our history: the transition from hunter-gatherer to farmer. This 'revolution' didn't start in Europe, but in the Fertile Crescent, and gradually spread across our continent.
Quick Facts: The New Stone Age
Period: 7000 BCE (Southeast Europe) to 1700 BCE (Northwest Europe).
Core Activity: Introduction of agriculture and livestock herding.
Key Innovation: Polished stone axes for forest clearing.
Migration: Spread of Anatolian farmers (EEF) to the north and west.
The Spread of the First Farmers
From around 7000 BCE, the Anatolian Neolithic Farmers (ANF) migrated to Europe. This group, later called the Early European Farmers (EEF), brought an entirely new way of life with them. The expansion proceeded at roughly 1 kilometer per year via two main routes: the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and the fertile loess plains of Central Europe.
The Invention of Domestication
The shift to agriculture was a process spanning thousands of years. People learned to select and sow wild grains, which led to crops like einkorn and emmer wheat. At the same time, animals were domesticated. Sheep and goats were the first, because they were relatively small and manageable. Cattle followed later and provided not only meat, but also milk and draw weight.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why did people stop hunting and gathering?
Agriculture offered a more stable food source and the ability to store food surpluses, which led to permanent settlements and population growth.
Was Neolithic humans healthier than hunter-gatherers?
No, often quite the opposite. The diet became more one-sided, and through close contact with livestock and living in larger groups, infectious diseases increased.
Summary
Agriculture spread from the Near East across Europe.
The domestication of plants and animals led to the first permanent settlements.
The introduction of new technologies, such as the polished axe, changed the landscape forever.
