Middle East is considered to be the first region to witness the Neolithic revolution. The Neolithic revolution occured first in the Middle East around 10 000 years ago. Neolithic revolution refers to the period when hunter gatherers started to rely on agriculture rather than just hunting. At the end of the Ice Age, forests expanded rapidly. Many areas of the Middle East were richer in animal and plant species than they are today.

The Zagros and Mesopotamia

Major regions along the Zagros region witnessing the Neolithic revolution are:

Zawi Chemi Shanidar (9000 B.C.);

Ganj Dareh (8500 B.C.);

Ali Kosh and the Lowlands (8000 to 6000 B.C.);

Jarmo (5000 B.C.)