Governing Tripolye: Integrative architecture in Tripolye settlements

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222243
• Publication Date: 2019-09-25T17:33:27Z
• Authors: Robert Hofmann; Johannes Müller; Liudmyla Shatilo; Mykhailo Videiko; René Ohlrau; Vitalii Rud; Nataliia Burdo; Marta Dal Corso; Stefan Dreibrodt; Wiebke Kirleis
• Keywords: Human settlement; Settlement (finance); Mega-

Recently, high-resolution magnetometry surveys have led to the discovery of a special category buildings-so-called 'mega-structures'-situated in highly visible positions public space Tripolye giant-settlements late 5th and first half 4th millennium BCE. In this paper we explore what these buildings actually are how they can contribute understanding development social giant-settlements. For investigation, linked newly obtained excavation data from giant-settlement Maidanetske, Ukraine, with much larger sample such magnetic plans region between Carpathian foothills Dnieper River. Accordingly, mega-structures represent particular kind integrative building documented many non-ranked ethnographic contexts. Based on our results interpreting that were used for various ritual non-ritual activities, joint decision-making, storage consumption surplus. at least three different categories could be identified which most likely levels socio-political integration decision-making. The emergence hierarchical system high-level whole community low-level architectures certain segments local communities was related rise mega-sites. presence reflects fusion previously independent Later mega-site development, observe increasingly lose their importance indicated by shrinking size and, finally, disappearance. This observation might indicate power distributed across transferred central institution. It is argued non-acceptance concentration decline lower decision-making crucial factor disintegration around 3600