The transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic period is marked by the construction of monumental stone structures. Which of the following best explains how the construction and layout of Stonehenge reflect the socio-economic changes associated with the Neolithic Revolution?
- AThe circular arrangement of the stones was designed to serve as a private sanctuary for individual shamans to perform secret hunting-magic rituals ensuring the migration of wild herds.
- BThe implementation of mortise-and-tenon joints demonstrates the development of advanced metal tools that allowed builders to erect self-supporting arches and vaults.
- The massive scale of the megaliths and the long-term phases of construction indicate a cooperative, sedentary society with an agricultural surplus that could support a large, coordinated labor force.Answer
- DThe alignment of the stones with the solstices shows that the builders used stratigraphic sequences to determine the absolute scientific age of the burials at the site.
Answer
The massive scale of the megaliths and the long-term phases of construction indicate a cooperative, sedentary society with an agricultural surplus that could support a large, coordinated labor force.
The transition to agriculture during the Neolithic Revolution provided the food surplus necessary to sustain a specialized and coordinated labor force. Erecting monumental post-and-lintel structures required collective labor, social stratification, and community cooperation over centuries, which are key hallmarks of settled Neolithic societies.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The relationship between the Neolithic Revolution (agriculture, sedentary lifestyle, social organization) and the construction of monumental megalithic architecture.
Estimated Time:1m 30s