The correct option is (b) 2, 3 and 4 only.
Explanation
The Neolithic Revolution, or the New Stone Age, marks a fundamental transition in human history characterized by the shift from food gathering to food production. This period is defined by the advent of agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the establishment of settled communities.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Neolithic Revolution did not lead to a nomadic lifestyle; rather, it marked the transition from a nomadic existence to a sedentary lifestyle. The practice of agriculture required people to stay in one place to tend to crops, leading to the formation of permanent village settlements.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The production of surplus grains and the need for cooking food necessitated storage and cooking vessels. This led to the invention and widespread use of pottery during this period.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The rise of agriculture did not result in the immediate or complete extinction of hunter-gatherer societies. Many communities continued to rely on hunting and gathering, often coexisting and interacting with settled agricultural communities.
- Statement 4 is Correct. The core feature of the Neolithic Revolution was the systematic domestication of plants (agriculture) and animals (such as cattle, sheep, and goats) for food, milk, and labor, reducing dependence on wild resources.
Key Takeaway: The Neolithic Revolution is primarily characterized by the "three P's": Production (agriculture), Pastoralism (domestication of animals), and Pottery, which collectively enabled a sedentary village life.