First Reading Response

What is the significance of the Paleolithic era in world history?

By far the greatest significance of the Paleolithic era is that it accounts for 95% of human existence, which I find completely interesting.  If the Paleolithic era accounts for almost all of our time on Earth why is it so many history classes and history texts leave out almost all of the milestones that occurred during this era?  Something that I find to be interesting and in my opinion significant is that fact that these nomadic people viewed each other as equals.  They believed that both men and woman were important contributors to their survival.  Only in times when it was really necessary would someone show authority to help resolves issues within a particular group, but mostly they were able to be successful and productive without the need for an absolute authority figure that we have become so dependent on in modern times. 

Something I though I would just add on the topic of the Paleolithic era is that I know have a much greater understanding behind the Paleo Diet that many people today believe is the ideal diet for one to survive on.  It is fascinating that it has taken this many years and some of us have come full  circle in realizing that we had it right from the start.  We were born predators and that is the best diet our bodies know how to handle.

The Agricultural Revolution marked a decisive turning point in human history.  What evidence might you offer to support this claim, and how might you argue against it?

Well the key thing that the Agricultural Revolution allowed for was the quick growth in human populations.  Because people were no longer dependent on the weather, and migratory patterns of the animals they hunted they were able to provided a sustainable food source for their people.  This also allowed for them to start laying down roots and put an end to the necessary nomadic lifestyle all tribes were accustomed to.  Another key change that occurred was the beginning of commerce and a more extensive trading alliance that began to form between tribes in close proximity.  They would work together to help one another out in the areas they needed help in.  For those tribes that only were able to grow food, but didn't have the ability or skills to raise animals, they would trade food for animals so that their people would have a continued well balanced diet and life.  I think that this just shows the human nature and understanding that there is a unspoken common bond between all people that even in the beginning of human existence we understood the meaning of helping out our fellow man.  This carries true today when people from completely different backgrounds and societies come together to help the greater good of a group of people in need. 

Now while there were many positives marked in the Agricultural Revolution, there was a lot of learning that needed to be done especially in respect to living in such close proximity to animals.  While this was convenient for nourishment, disease soon became a problem and many of the first people domesticating animals were plagued by new disease.  This proves that there is a fine balancing act that occurs when trying to survive and improve your overall living conditions.  These issues helped the human species learn about sanitation, and the need to have some barriers between the animals and the people they are being cared by.  It is because of what we learned from the Agricultural Revolution that we have such great health standards in respect to food handling and raising animals for your own personal use.