Final answer:
The Neolithic, or New Stone Age, was a transformative period (10,000-3,000 BCE) marked by the Neolithic Revolution, which saw the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture and the domestication of animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Neolithic, or New Stone Age, refers to a period in human development that lasted from about 10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE. This era is particularly notable for the significant shift in human food production and technology, which is encapsulated in the Neolithic Revolution. This revolution marked the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture, leading to the domestication of animals and the cultivation of crops. As a result, human societies began to settle and form more permanent communities.
Stone tools played a crucial role in this transformation. The creation and use of stone tools became much more sophisticated during the Neolithic. People made specialized tools such as grinding tools for processing grain, and they cooperated to move large rocks and harvest resources. This cooperation often led to the development of more complex social structures and eventually gave rise to early civilizations. Additionally, the adoption of agriculture allowed for the establishment of food surpluses, paving the way for labor specialization and enabling the growth of larger settled communities.