The agricultural revolution, which began around 10,000 BCE, had a profound impact on human societies. It marked the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. As people began to domesticate plants and animals, they could produce surplus food, leading to population growth and the establishment of permanent settlements. This shift enabled the development of complex societies, social hierarchies, and specialized occupations. Additionally, it laid the groundwork for the rise of civilizations, as agricultural surplus supported trade, governance, and cultural development, greatly enhancing human socio-economic structures and interactions.