Question

important developments of later human history. today, many prehistorians resist childe’s term because they know that when examined closely, the changes turn out to have been gradual. contemporaries could hardly have known they were living through a revolution. nevertheless, childe’s notion of a neolithic or agrarian revolution deserves to survive, for on the scale of human history as a whole, the changes were both rapid and revolutionary. during a mere 7,500 years, between 11,500 and 4,000 years ago, agricultural communities with domesticated plants and animals appeared in at least three quite separate regions of the world, and perhaps as many as seven. excerpt from: david christian, maps of time: an introduction to big history (2011), 489. which of the following evidence would most strongly challenge childe’s idea of a neolithic revolution? choose 1 answer: a agriculture emerged in even more regions of the world between 11,500-4,000 years ago b some societies did not develop agriculture c polished stone tools from much earlier periods d earlier traces of human domestication of plants and animals

Explanation:

Childe's idea of the Neolithic revolution emphasizes rapid, revolutionary changes (with agricultural communities appearing between 11,500 - 4,000 years ago). To challenge this, evidence showing earlier domestication (so the changes were not as rapid/revolutionary as claimed) is key.

• Option A: More regions with agriculture would support the idea of a widespread revolution, not challenge it.
• Option B: Some societies not developing agriculture is irrelevant to the timing/rapidity of the Neolithic revolution's changes.
• Option C: Polished stone tools from earlier periods don't relate to plant/animal domestication (the core of the Neolithic revolution here).
• Option D: Earlier traces of domestication show the changes were not as rapid (since domestication started earlier), challenging the "rapid" aspect of Childe's revolution idea.

Answer:

D. Earlier traces of human domestication of plants and animals