A5080377857- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies
- Archaeological Research and Protection
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Historical and Archaeological Studies
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Language and cultural evolution
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Archaeology and Historical Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Historical Studies on Spain
- Bayesian Methods and Mixture Models
- Radioactive element chemistry and processing
- Plant and animal studies
- Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History
- Archaeological and Historical Studies
- Linguistics and language evolution
- Ancient Near East History
- Marine and environmental studies
Kiel University
2020-2024
Leipzig University
2019-2020
University of Cologne
2003-2014
University College London
2013-2014
Museum of London Archaeology
2014
National Archaeological Museum
2014
Following its initial arrival in SE Europe 8,500 years ago agriculture spread throughout the continent, changing food production and consumption patterns increasing population densities. Here we show that, contrast to steady growth usually assumed, introduction of into was followed by a boom-and-bust pattern density regional populations. We demonstrate that summed calibrated radiocarbon date distributions simulation can be used test significance these demographic booms busts context...
In a previous study we presented new method that used summed probability distributions (SPD) of radiocarbon dates as proxy for population levels, and Monte-Carlo simulation to test the significance observed fluctuations in context uncertainty calibration curve archaeological sampling. The allowed us identify periods significant short-term change, caveated with fact around 5% these were false positives. this present an improvement by applying criterion remove positives from both simulated...
Analysis of the proportion immature skeletons recovered from European prehistoric cemeteries has shown that transition to agriculture after 9000 BP triggered a long-term increase in human fertility. Here we compare largest analysis date with an independent line evidence, summed calibrated probability distribution radiocarbon dates (SCDPD) archaeological sites. Our cemetery reanalysis confirms increased growth rates introduction agriculture; also shows this pattern, and significant...
Recently there has been growing interest in characterising population structure cultural data the context of ongoing debates about potential group selection as an evolutionary process. Here we use archaeological for this purpose, which brings a temporal well spatial dimension. We analyse two distinct material cultures (pottery and personal ornaments) from Neolithic Europe, order to: a) determine whether archaeologically defined "cultures" exhibit marked discontinuities space time, supporting...
A wide range of theories and methods inspired from evolutionary biology have recently been used to investigate temporal changes in the frequency archaeological material. Here we follow this research agenda present a novel approach based on Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC), which enables evaluation multiple competing models formulated as computer simulations. This offers opportunity to: 1) flexibly integrate biases derived sampling time averaging; 2) estimate model parameters...
The transformation of natural landscapes in Middle Europe began the Neolithic as a result introduction food-producing economies. This paper examines relation between land-cover and demographic change regionally restricted case study. study area is Western Lake Constance which has very detailed palynological well archaeological records. We compare derived from nine pollen records using pseudo-biomisation approach with 14 C date probability density functions sites serve proxy. chose regional...
This paper explores the robustness of phylogenetic methods for detecting variations in branching and blending signals archaeological record. Both processes can generate a spatial structure whereby cultural similarity between different sites decays with increasing distance. By generating series artificial records through controlled parameterised environment an agent-based simulation, we: a) illustrate weakness strength analytical techniques (empirical distogram, Mantel test, Retention Index,...
From Rousseau onward, scholars have identified the transition to sedentary agriculture as crucial history of wealth inequality. Here, using GINI project’s global database on disparities in residential size, we examine effects important innovations plant cultivation, animal husbandry, and traction Over a series regional case studies, find no evidence major changes disparity before or after these technological became widespread, where systemic change are recognizable, they ambiguous. The...
Here, we assess the extent to which land use relating food acquisition (farming, herding, foraging) and associated value regimes shaped past economic inequality. We consider hypothesis that land-use systems in production was limited by heritable material wealth (such as land) sustained higher levels of inequality than those (free) human labor. address this using Global Dynamics InequalIty (GINI) project database, estimating inequalities based on disparities residential unit area storage...
Defining wealth broadly to include in people, relational connections, and material possessions, we examine the prehistory of inequality at level residential units using consistent proxy Gini coefficients calculated across areas contemporaneous units. In a sample >1,100 sites > 47,000 spanning >10,000 y, persistent typically lags onset plant cultivation by more than millennium. It accompanies landscape modifications subsistence practices which land (rather labor) limits production,...
Understanding the relationship between inequality and economic growth is a critical science problem that hinders sustainable development. In 1955, Simon Kuznets hypothesized rising raises inequality, which levels off as continues. Kuznets’ “curve,” cornerstone of development economics, was based on data from small sample rich capitalist economies. Here, we draw GINI database, includes area measurements 53,464 residences 1,176 settlements dating 21,000 BC to present, published Spatial...
Archaeologists have long sought appropriate ways to describe the duration and floruit of archaeological cultures in statistical terms. Thus far, chronological reasoning has been largely reliant on typological sequences. Using summed probability distributions, authors here compare radiocarbon dates for a series European Neolithic with their generally accepted ‘standard’ date ranges greater precision afforded by dendrochronology, where that is available. The resulting analysis gives new more...
Abstract What turns an invention into innovation? How, if at all, might we observe this process archaeologically? Loosely put, new varieties of plants or animals be considered as inventions (whether from deliberate breeding by chance), but ones that are only taken up humans more systematically innovations when certain social, demographic, economic and environmental factors encourage such take-up. The archaebotanically-observed history spelt wheat ( Triticum spelta ) is interesting case in...
The Europe wide spread of what has been called the Bell Beaker phenomenon remains an enigma European prehistory. While most recent research stresses ideological aspects using material culture, here we take a regional and economical perspective. We look for chronological relationships economic choices phase its closest neighbours in time space: Late Neolithic Corded Ware Early Bronze Age. focus on archaeological settlement history present hitherto richest Beaker-associated collection...
ABSTRACT New radiocarbon ( 14 C) dates suggest a simultaneous appearance of two technologically and geographically distinct axe production practices in Neolithic Britain; igneous open-air quarries Great Langdale, Cumbria, from flint mines southern England at ~4000–3700 cal BC. In light the recent evidence that farming was introduced this time by large-scale immigration northwest Europe, expansion within Britain extremely rapid, we argue synchronicity supports speed colonization reflects...
Abstract Neolithic stone axeheads from Britain provide an unusually rich, well-provenanced set of evidence with which to consider patterns prehistoric production and exchange. It is no surprise then that these objects have often been subject spatial analysis in terms the relationship between particular source areas distribution made those stones. At stake such are important interpretative issues do how we view role material value, supply, exchange, demand societies. This paper returns some...
Abstract Over its history, archaeology has seen a varied set of uses made philosophy and philosophical concepts. A persistent critique been that too often or more generally theoretical debates have little difference in terms empirical archaeological work interpretation. In this article, we present results from an interdisciplinary study on the operationalisation Capability Approach archaeology. We trace some implications as regards understanding identity social organisation represent model...
The Big Exchange project investigates large-scale exchange systems in Eurasia and Africa (8000–1 BC). We concentrate on raw materials of known origin (‘sourced finds’). Network analysis tools artificial intelligence methods are used to analyse the combined data sets. invite broad collaboration bimodal networks.
Abstract The GINI project investigates the dynamics of inequality among populations over long term by synthesising global archaeological housing data. This brings archaeologists together from around world to assess hypotheses concerning causes and consequences that are relevance contemporary societies globally.
The authors of this article consider the relationship in European prehistory between procurement high-quality stones (for axeheads, daggers, and other tools) on one hand, early mining, crafting, deposition copper other. data consist radiocarbon dates for exploitation stone quarries, flint mines, information regarding frequency through time jade axeheads artefacts. By adopting a broad perspective, spanning much central-western Europe from 5500 to 2000 bc , they identify general pattern which...