15. What new tools appeared at this time?

Back to History 8 Agriculture Concepts During the beginning of the agricultural revolution, while pastoralism and more sophisticated farming were spreading west from the Fertile Crescent to Europe and Egypt and east through Iran and India, farmers were creating new tools. Initially, they added a handle to a simple digging stick, hence forming a plow. Shortly thereafter, around 3000 B. C., Sumerian farmers employed oxen to push plows, wagons, and sledges. In 900 B. C., Fertile Crescent farmers first used iron-tipped plows, which enabled them to cultivate products from more land than before. Furthermore, Babylonians planted seeds by dropping them through a funnel at the end of a plow. In order to harvest grains, farmers utilized wooden-handled sickles with stone or iron blades. However, they not only created tools to facilitate farming but weapons made of smelted metals, too. Additionally, various cultures refined clay vessels, such as the Ghassoulians, who hardened clay objects with a fire kiln. In short, the Neolithic Era produced a myriad of new tools.

Sources: Origins. Comp. Rosie Beniretto. Ed. Ganesa Collins. Houston, Texas: St. John's School, 2015-2016. 6. Print, page 77. http://regentsprep.org/regents/global/themes/science/neo.cfm End of Stone Age Video Guide Notes Picture: http://www.tech4news.com/history_of_technology/ - Louisa Sarofim