Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review and critically evaluate relevant archaeological evidence regarding recent claims about the social complexity of Late Neolithic societies in the Central Balkans. Theory suggests that the relevant evidence should be related to population size, economic intensification, ranking, and craft specialisation. It is concluded that, although there are indications that inequalities existed and also demographic potential for organisational complexity, there is no unambiguous evidence that institutionalised inequality in the form of complex polities such as chiefdoms or states ever developed.
Keywords:
Vinča culture / Social evolution / Social complexity / Late Neolithic / Central BalkansSource:
Documenta Praehistorica, 2012, 39, 1, 167-183Publisher:
- Univerza v Ljubljani
Funding / projects:
Institution/Community
Arheologija / ArchaeologyTY - JOUR AU - Porčić, Marko PY - 2012 UR - http://reff.f.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1545 AB - The aim of this paper is to review and critically evaluate relevant archaeological evidence regarding recent claims about the social complexity of Late Neolithic societies in the Central Balkans. Theory suggests that the relevant evidence should be related to population size, economic intensification, ranking, and craft specialisation. It is concluded that, although there are indications that inequalities existed and also demographic potential for organisational complexity, there is no unambiguous evidence that institutionalised inequality in the form of complex polities such as chiefdoms or states ever developed. PB - Univerza v Ljubljani T2 - Documenta Praehistorica T1 - Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence EP - 183 IS - 1 SP - 167 VL - 39 DO - 10.4312/dp.39.12 ER -
@article{ author = "Porčić, Marko", year = "2012", abstract = "The aim of this paper is to review and critically evaluate relevant archaeological evidence regarding recent claims about the social complexity of Late Neolithic societies in the Central Balkans. Theory suggests that the relevant evidence should be related to population size, economic intensification, ranking, and craft specialisation. It is concluded that, although there are indications that inequalities existed and also demographic potential for organisational complexity, there is no unambiguous evidence that institutionalised inequality in the form of complex polities such as chiefdoms or states ever developed.", publisher = "Univerza v Ljubljani", journal = "Documenta Praehistorica", title = "Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence", pages = "183-167", number = "1", volume = "39", doi = "10.4312/dp.39.12" }
Porčić, M.. (2012). Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence. in Documenta Praehistorica Univerza v Ljubljani., 39(1), 167-183. https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.39.12
Porčić M. Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence. in Documenta Praehistorica. 2012;39(1):167-183. doi:10.4312/dp.39.12 .
Porčić, Marko, "Social complexity and inequality in the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans: Reviewing the evidence" in Documenta Praehistorica, 39, no. 1 (2012):167-183, https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.39.12 . .