What agricultural advancement is believed to have supported the transition from nomadic to settled life?

The belief that animal domestication supported the transition from nomadic to settled life centers on the role that domesticated animals played in providing reliable sources of food and labor. As people learned to tame and breed animals for meat, milk, and other resources, they could rely less on the uncertain availability of wild animals and more on a consistent food supply. This reliability allowed human populations to settle in one location, as they no longer needed to constantly move in search of food.

Moreover, domesticated animals also played a critical role in agricultural practices by providing labor for tasks such as plowing fields, which further encouraged sedentary farming communities. They contributed to the development of farming societies by allowing populations to expand and thrive in established settlements.

While other advancements like irrigation systems, usage of plows, and selection of fertile land were also vital for the growth of agriculture and settled communities, the initial domestication of animals laid an essential foundation for these subsequent developments, enabling a stable agricultural lifestyle.