Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Neolithic period refers to a later stage of prehistory (around 10,000 BCE) when humans began practicing agriculture, domesticating animals, and living in permanent settlements.
Related terms
Megaliths: Large stone structures built during the Neolithic period for various purposes such as burial sites or ceremonial monuments.
Pottery: Ceramic vessels made by hand during the Neolithic period for storing food or other goods.
Agricultural revolution: The shift from hunting-gathering to agriculture that occurred during the Neolithic period.