Early Agricultural Tools

Human beings began farming about 12,000 years ago. The ability to control their food supply freed people from a nomadic existence, and heralded the evolution of cities and towns. These early farming tools date from about 6000 bc. The axe (bottom), was used for clearing; flint sickles (left), were used for harvesting cereal crops; a flat rock and rounded stone (centre), were used for grinding flour; and perforated clay slabs (upper right), were probably used to ventilate bread ovens.

Dorling Kindersley

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Agriculture; Farming, Origins of; Archaeology; Technology; Stone Age

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