Reply #3: Not necessarily [View All]

>> It would be tough for agriculture (that relies on stable seasons) to become popular at a time when the climate was changing. <<

Just recently I read an article explaining how disrupted terrain -- such as deforestation from floods -- provided a window of opportunity for grains to flourish. They could exploit the torn landscape because their normal competitors had been destroyed.

So the article's theory was that during a time of ecological upheaveal grains appeared in great enough numbers to draw the attention of humans. It didn't take long to figure out how to purposely "disrupt" the soil -- through flooding and plowing -- and help the grains grow.

The article may have been posted here on DU within the last few months. This is where I do most of my science reading. :)