Question 1

The subsistence strategy of the Mesolithic has been characterized as

Accepted Answer

The Mesolithic period is characterized by a shift towards a broad-spectrum subsistence strategy, which involved a mix of hunting, fishing, and gathering a wide range of plant and animal resources. This shift away from a heavy reliance on big-game hunting was likely due to the depletion of large mammal populations towards the end of the Ice Age. Plant exploitation also became more important during this time, as evidenced by the presence of grinding stones and the eventual domestication of plants during the Neolithic period.

Question 2

In Africa, pre-agricultural developments during the Mesolithic probably arose due to changes in the climate and environment, including

Accepted Answer

Warmer temperatures and more rainfall would have led to the growth of savannas and grasslands, which in turn would have allowed for the development of hunting and gathering societies. This is supported by archaeological evidence such as the presence of stone tools and rock art depicting animals that lived in grassland environments. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that increased rainfall during this time may have led to the expansion of freshwater lakes and rivers, promoting the growth of fish populations and facilitating the development of fishing technologies.

Question 3

Mark Cohen has argued that by about 10,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers had essentially "filled up" the world, which may have set the stage for the transition to agriculture.

Accepted Answer

Mark Cohen has argued that by about 10,000 years ago, the world's population of hunter-gatherers had reached the carrying capacity of their environments. This, in turn, may have created the pressure and conditions necessary for the development of agriculture.

Question 4

The shift from hunting and gathering to cultivation and domestication of plants and animals is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The shift from hunting and gathering to cultivation and domestication of plants and animals is generally referred to as the Neolithic revolution. This transformation marked a major turning point in human history and led to the development of settled communities, the growth of agriculture, and the rise of civilization. The other options do not accurately describe this specific transition.

Question 5

In South America, domesticated animals were not only used for food, they were also used for transportation; species used for transportation were

Accepted Answer

Llamas and alpacas were domesticated in South America and were used for transportation due to their endurance and ability to traverse rough terrain. Horses were introduced by the Spanish during colonization, but they were not commonly used for transportation until much later. Cattle were primarily used for food, not transportation. Donkeys were not native to South America and were only introduced later, so they were not commonly used for transportation either. Camels are not native to South America.

Question 6

The switch to extensive harvesting of wild grain, fishing and hunting of smaller game during the Mesolithic appears to have been accompanied by a marked decline in human stature; this would seem to indicate that

Accepted Answer

The decline in human stature during the Mesolithic, coinciding with a shift to harvesting wild grain, fishing, and hunting smaller game, suggests a correlation with a change in diet quality, implying that the diet may have been poorer compared to the Upper Paleolithic period.

Question 7

Unlike the Natufians of the Near East, there is ________ among the Highland Archaic peoples of Mesoamerica.

Accepted Answer

The Highland Archaic peoples of Mesoamerica did not exhibit differences in social status, unlike the Natufians of the Near East, who had more complex social structures.

Question 8

According to Lewis Binford and Kent Flannery, human population growth and the movement of people into ________ with ________ resources may have spurred them to practice food production.

Accepted Answer

Binford and Flannery propose that humans were pushed to practice food production in marginal areas with few resources, as population growth and migration put pressure on the availability of food.

Question 9

The Natufians of the Near East are the earliest Mesolithic people known to have

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Natufians of the Near East are...

Question 10

Foragers are considered __________ whereas pastoralists are known as ________

Accepted Answer

Foragers are known as food collectors because they hunt, gather, and fish for their food. On the other hand, pastoralists are known as food producers because they rely on domesticated animals for their food and other products.

Question 11

________ were the first animals domesticated in the Near East around ________ years ago.

Accepted Answer

Dogs were the first animals domesticated in the Near East around 12,000 years ago.

Question 12

Horticultural societies

Accepted Answer

Horticultural societies show the beginnings of social differentiation, meaning that some individuals or groups within the society may obtain more prestige or power than others based on factors such as wealth or family status. However, this differentiation is not as pronounced as in more complex societies such as agricultural or industrial ones. The other options are not characteristic of horticultural societies.

Question 13

In addition to intensively gathering wild grains, the Natufians also intensively herded gazelles.

Accepted Answer

The Natufians are known for intensively gathering wild grains, but there is no evidence to suggest they intensively herded gazelles. They were primarily hunter-gatherers.

Question 14

Shifting cultivation as practiced using the slash-and-burn technique, does not involve

Accepted Answer

Shifting cultivation using the slash-and-burn technique involves rotating the use of different areas of land to allow the soil fertility to recover, rather than permanent, intensive cultivation of field crops. The use of hand tools, fire, natural rainfall, and reliance on natural soil fertility are all characteristics of this type of agriculture.

Question 15

At the site of Ali Kosh in the Near East a considerable amount of dietary protein was derived from

Accepted Answer

Goats were a primary source of dietary protein at Ali Kosh, as they were among the first domesticated animals in the region.

Question 16

What were microliths?

Accepted Answer

Microliths were small blades made of flint or other types of hard stone typically used as components in composite tools during the Mesolithic period.

Question 17

According to Kent Flannery, the extensive harvesting of wild wheat and barley by Mesolithic peoples in the Near East must have prompted

Accepted Answer

Since the wild wheat and barley could not be easily transported, it would have led to a degree of sedentism as people would need to remain in one place to harvest and consume the grain.

Question 18

Maize (corn) was apparently first domesticated in

Accepted Answer

The domestication of maize (corn) is believed to have occurred in Mesoamerica, specifically in what is now Mexico, around 9,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence, as well as DNA analysis, support this theory.

Question 19

In general, ________ were less important economically in the New World than in many parts of the Old World.

Accepted Answer

Domesticated animals were not as prevalent in the New World as they were in the Old World, where they played a major role in agriculture, transportation, and other aspects of daily life. In contrast, the native peoples of the Americas relied more heavily on hunting and gathering, as well as on crops such as corn, beans, and squash.

Question 20

Natufian food collection differed from earlier food collectors in the area by

Accepted Answer

Natufian food collection was more intensive than earlier food collectors in the area. They systematically collected a variety of wild cereals and other plants that were then stored for later consumption, indicating a shift towards sedentary lifestyles and food storage. They also hunted small game and caught fish, making their food collection more diversified and complex.

Quiz 12: Origins of Food Production and Settled Life