In any civilization, the most important component is its social organization, which consists of the way the people are group according to social classes and their way of life. In essence civilization evolved from the Neolithic era due to population growth. The Neolithic period refers to the latest period of the Stone Age. The Neolithic era is commonly characterized for its polished stone implements; this was not the most significant change they introduced. In this essay, its social hierarchy, the development of agriculture and its consequences, religious structure, and the development of writing will identify the evolution of civilization,.
During the Neolithic period, people were generally divided into three social classes; the nobles and priests were the highest rank, while slaves and outcasts were the lowest. The people other than the two classes mentioned were free common people who possessed jobs such as merchants, craftsmen, and farmers. They were responsible for the majority of contributions to the economic and cultural well being.
In today's society, the division of social classes still exists. However, we are more generally grouped into four social classes: the upper class, the working class, the middle class, and the lower class. In the modern civilization social classes are based on wealth occupation rather than traditional ranking as during .
the Neolithic period. .
The most significant change introduced during the Neolithic period was the shift from hunting animals and gathering plants to the production of food by agriculture. The ability to acquire food on a regular basis gave humans greater control over their environment. Thus, ranked by social class, wealth was distinguished by land. It took between 8000 to 5000 B.C.E for agriculture to develop in different areas. Many Neolithic settlements were still accustomed to traditional hunting and gathering.
The growing of crops on a regular basis was a factor of the arise of civilization.