The first humans were hunters and gatherers. E. Napp

The men hunted. E. Napp

The women gathered. E. Napp

When new food sources were needed, they moved. They were nomads. E. Napp

But around 8,000 B.C., something remarkable happened. E. Napp

Some people learned to farm and domesticate animals. E. Napp

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This significant change or turning point is called the Neolithic Revolution or the Agricultural Revolution. E. Napp

The Neolithic Revolution began near rivers because rivers provided water for farming. E. Napp

When people learned to farm, they settled When people learned to farm, they settled. When they settled, they developed civilization. E. Napp

A civilization is a complex society A civilization is a complex society. It has cities, writing, government, social classes, and specialization. E. Napp

An early civilization developed in Mesopotamia An early civilization developed in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq. E. Napp

Around 3500 B.C., the Sumerians developed independent city-states. E. Napp

Each city-state had its own government and farmland Each city-state had its own government and farmland. Frequently, the city-states fought against each other. E. Napp

The Sumerians developed writing called cuneiform, the wheel, and a calendar. E. Napp

The Sumerians built ziggurats or temples for their gods. E. Napp

The Neolithic Revolution changed world history The Neolithic Revolution changed world history. It gave rise to civilizations like Sumerian civilization. E. Napp