What characterizes a "neolithic" society?

A Neolithic society is characterized by its transition from a nomadic lifestyle, primarily focused on hunting and gathering, to one that emphasizes agriculture and settled living. This period, often referred to as the Neolithic Revolution, marks a significant shift in human history where communities began to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements.

The development of agriculture allowed these societies to support larger populations and led to advances in social structure, technology, and culture. The ability to produce food surpluses enabled specialization of labor, which contributed to developments in trade, governance, and community organization. This transition is crucial to understanding how human societies evolved from small, mobile groups into larger, complex societies.

In contrast, other options highlight characteristics that do not apply to Neolithic societies. These societies were not primarily focused on hunting and gathering, nor did they avoid agriculture, as the introduction of farming is a defining trait of the Neolithic. Additionally, while stone tools were commonly used during this period of human history, the use of stone tools alone does not encompass the broader societal changes that characterized the Neolithic era.