The Neolithic Revolution, also known as the Agricultural Revolution, marks the transition in human history from small, nomadic bands of hunter-gatherers to settled, agricultural communities. Starting around 10,000 BC in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East, humans began to deliberately plant crops like wheat and barley and domesticate animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. This shift allowed for a stable food surplus, which in turn led to a massive increase in human population. With people no longer needing to move constantly for food, permanent settlements were established, leading to the birth of the first cities, such as Jericho and Çatalhöyük. The revolution laid the groundwork for complex social hierarchies, specialized labor, and the development of writing and record-keeping. It is widely considered one of the most transformative events in the history of the human species, fundamentally changing our relationship with the natural world.