What led to the end of hunting, gathering, and fishing among prehistoric peoples?

The development of agriculture fundamentally transformed the ways in which prehistoric peoples lived and obtained food, leading to the end of hunting, gathering, and fishing as predominant means of subsistence. Agriculture allowed people to domesticate plants and animals, which enabled them to produce food in a more controlled and reliable manner than hunting and gathering. This shift meant that communities could settle in one place, build permanent structures, and create complex societies, as they no longer needed to follow migratory patterns in search of food.

With the establishment of farming, societies could support larger populations, leading to the development of villages, towns, and eventually cities. The ability to cultivate crops and raise livestock provided a surplus of food, which allowed some members of the community to engage in roles other than food production, furthering social complexity and innovation.

While climate change and technological advancements played significant roles in shaping human history, it was the direct transition to agriculture that most directly resulted in the decline of hunter-gatherer lifestyles. The invention of the wheel, while important for transportation and trade, came later and was not a primary driver of this fundamental change in subsistence strategies.