why did Stone Age people practice slash-and-burn agriculture?

Answer 1

The simple answer to the why on this question.

When you use slash and burn you are able to clear large tracks of land easily. At the same time the ash from the fire will make your crops grow better and more fruitful. At the same time killing most of your weeds you would have to deal with if you did not use this method of clearing.

Down side is you use the soils potential up very quickly. Perhaps a season or two at best.

Answer 2

At that time people practiced slash and burn agriculture because at the stone age ,the equipment for agriculture and their knowledge for better crops raising/cultivating were very limited
.They searched the fertile land for their crops so they cut the trees and shrubs and then were burn..The cut and burn system was very simple and did not need much energy and no need for fertilizer at that time After they harvested its crops they moved to other areas which were more fertile.

Answer 3

Burning removes the vegetation and may release a pulse of nutrients to fertilize the soil. Ash also increases the pH of the soil, a process which makes certain nutrients (especially phosphorus) more available in the short term. Burning also drives off, temporarily, soil microorganisms, pests, and established plants long enough for crops to be planted in the ashes. Before artificial fertilizers were available, fire was one of the most widespread methods of fertilization.

Slash and burn requires a relatively low human population density or a continuing supply of new "frontier" lands, since the recovery of forests may require many decades or even human generations.

Answer 4

Think of cutting down a tree with a stone axe.