Ancient mega settlements offer insights into human development: study
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Prehistoric societies and ancient settlements played a key role in human development, says a new study using a philosophical framework developed by economist and philosopher Amartya Sen.
The research centers on the Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements, which thrived between 5050 and 2950 BCE in areas now part of Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Covering up to 320 hectares and supporting populations of up to 17,000, these settlements exhibited notable social equality and technological advancements.
Led by Dr. Vesa Arponen and supported by Dr. René Ohlrau and Prof. Tim Kerig, the study proposes that innovation and population growth in these settlements were primarily driven by increased opportunities for personal agency, rather than external factors such as climate change or resource scarcity.
The researchers adapted the capability approach, a philosophical framework developed by economist and philosopher Amartya Sen, to analyse these ancient societies. Unlike traditional methods that focus on material wealth, this approach emphasizes opportunities and capabilities that enable individuals to thrive.
A team of researchers at Kiel University has introduced a groundbreaking method for examining prehistoric societies by linking ancient settlements to modern human development metrics. Their study, published in Open Archaeology, applies concepts from the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) to archaeological data, shedding new light on the structure and growth of ancient communities.
Dr. Arponen explained that applying HDI-inspired metrics to archaeological findings allows for a reinterpretation of societal dynamics, reframing ancient evidence through a modern lens of human well-being. Indicators such as the development of advanced ploughs and weaving tools were found to correlate with improvements in quality of life, linking technological innovation directly to societal progress.
The study challenges long-standing theories that external pressures drove technological and demographic shifts in ancient communities. Instead, the findings suggest that the flourishing of the Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements may have stemmed from expanded opportunities and capabilities for individuals within the society.
"By connecting material evidence to societal behavior, we gain a dynamic understanding of how these communities thrived," noted Prof. Kerig.
The researchers plan to expand their methodology to study other ancient cultures, potentially revolutionizing archaeological analysis. This novel approach offers a versatile tool to reinterpret historical data, fostering new discussions on societal development and evolution.