Which of the following best summarizes the overall impact of the agricultural revolution on early civilizations?

The agricultural revolution significantly transformed early civilizations by enabling the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities. As groups began to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, food production became more reliable and abundant. This stability allowed populations to grow and settle in one place, leading to the development of permanent villages and eventually cities.

With larger populations in fixed locations, societies became more complex, necessitating new social structures, governance, and systems of trade. People could specialize in various trades beyond agriculture, such as pottery, weaving, and metalworking, fostering economic expansion and trade networks between communities. This expansion was crucial for cultural exchange, technological advancements, and the growth of governance systems, laying the groundwork for the rise of civilizations.

The other options do not capture the broad and transformative impact of the agricultural revolution in the same way. For example, the notion of widespread abandonment of urban centers is contrary to the developments observed; urban centers grew as a result of stable food supplies. While some religious practices transformed, they did not diminish overall in importance; instead, agricultural surplus often led to the establishment of religious institutions. Lastly, although there were shifts in social structures, the agricultural revolution generally increased social stratification rather than creating more egalitarian societies, as different roles and wealth