Where did European farming spread from during the Neolithic period?

The spread of European farming during the Neolithic period primarily originated from the Middle East, specifically known as the Fertile Crescent. This region, which includes parts of modern-day countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, was crucial for early agricultural development. The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming began here due to the domestication of plants and animals.

As farming techniques and practices developed in the Middle East, they spread across Turkey into Europe, enabling various cultures to adopt agriculture as a primary means of subsistence. This movement is often referred to as the Neolithic Revolution, marking a significant shift in human lifestyle and societal organization. This transformative period allowed populations to grow and led to the establishment of more complex societies.

The other options depict regions that did not play a central role in the initial spread of Neolithic farming technologies to Europe. Unlike the Fertile Crescent's influence, areas like North and South America, Eastern Asia, Australia, Central Africa, and India had distinct agricultural developments independent of the European Neolithic farming practices. Thus, the correct answer highlights the historical trajectory of agriculture’s introduction and spread in Europe, rooted in the practices established in the Middle East.