What impact did agriculture have on the evolution of the societies of the Americas?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Agriculture changed groups like the Archaic Era Indians, who implemented basic weeding practices to facilitate the growth of edible plants. They also learned about seeds and developed basic concepts about irrigation. Such groups increased their food supplies and needed to hunt less as a result.

By about 5000 BCE, natives in the region of modern-day Mexico could grow crops like maize, squash, and beans, which led to food surpluses and large population increases. All of this allowed urbanization and the creation of towns and cities to occur. These ancient peoples could then focus their attention on things besides growing food, such as cultural, artistic, and engineering endeavors. Societies thus became more advanced and complex, with increased social stratification, written languages, mathematical systems, sophisticated irrigation techniques, and impressive architecture.