The development of a farming culture among preColumbian Native American Indians helped ensure (1) safety from neighboring tribes (2) the establishment of a nomadic lifestyle (3) the continuation of hunting and gathering (4) a more stable food supply

History · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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(4) a more stable food supply

When pre-Columbian Native American Indians developed a farming culture, it meant that they began to domesticate plants and cultivate land to grow food. This transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural one allowed these communities to settle in one place and to develop a more reliable and predictable food supply. Farming enabled them to grow a variety of crops, which could be harvested at different times of the year, providing a steady supply of food. Storing surplus crops also helped to sustain the population during seasons when food was scarce or in times of environmental stress.

Extra: The shift to a farming culture among pre-Columbian Native American Indians is often referred to as the Agricultural Revolution or the Neolithic Revolution. This transition is considered one of the most significant changes in human history because it allowed for the development of more complex societies.

Farming implies sedentary (or semisedentary) living, where communities could build permanent or long-term dwellings. With this stability, people could focus on tasks other than immediate survival, which encouraged the development of arts, religion, social structures, and trade.

The practice of agriculture also impacted social organization and economic activities. It led to the establishment of social hierarchies, land ownership, and the specialization of labor because not everyone needed to be involved in food production. Some individuals could then dedicate time to becoming artisans, religious leaders, or traders.

Additionally, with a surplus of food, populations grew, and this allowed for the expansion and development of larger communities and even early cities. Many of the pre-Columbian civilizations, such as the Maya and Aztecs, were supported by the agricultural activities that provided the food necessary to sustain large populations.

Therefore, the development of farming did not propound safety from neighboring tribes (1), establish a nomadic lifestyle (2), or continue hunting and gathering (3) as primary subsistence methods, but it definitely contributed to the stabilization of food supplies, which is a fundamental cornerstone for the advancement of civilization.

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