The change that drove the transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic era, was the emergence of farming activities, both agriculture and animal husbandry. Previously, people only ate what they could hunt, fish or collect in the nature but, at this point in history, they learnt how to grow their own food, and hence, stopped being nomads and started to create settlements and villages for permanent stays.
More complex societies arose, where people acquired different roles. This was also the origin of the specialization and the division of labor. Specialists were able to develope tools which, in turn, enhanced the productivity of the agricultural activities and ended up giving rise to production surpluses (more food than the amount necessary for subsistence) and to trade activities.
The Neolithic starts 15,000 years ago and last until the Chalcolithic period which took place about 6,500 years ago.
