Shift from foraging to farming increased human population from "summary" of Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels by Ian Morris
The shift from foraging to farming had a profound impact on human population growth. Foragers typically lived in small bands, moving frequently in search of food. Their numbers were kept in check by the limited resources available in their environment. However, the development of agriculture allowed for a more stable food supply, leading to a population explosion. Farming enabled people to produce more food than they needed for immediate consumption. This surplus could be stored for lean times or traded with neighboring communities. As a result, populations began to grow as more children survived to adulthood and women had more frequent pregnancies. The sedentary lifestyle of farmers also allowed for larger families, as women were no longer burdened with the constant need to move in search of food. With the increase in population came the need for more efficient food production methods. Farmers began to innovate, developing new tools and techniques to increase yields. They also started to domesticate animals for food and labor, further boosting the availability of resources. This cycle of innovation and population growth continued to fuel each other, leading to even greater numbers of people living in settled communities. The shift from foraging to farming was not without its challenges, however. As populations grew, competition for resources increased, leading to conflicts between communities. The spread of agriculture also had environmental consequences, as forests were cleared for fields and water sources were depleted. Despite these drawbacks, the benefits of farming in terms of population growth and social complexity were undeniable.- The transition from foraging to farming had a transformative impact on human societies. It allowed for the exponential growth of populations and the development of more complex social structures. This shift laid the foundation for the rise of civilization as we know it today.
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