Masters Thesis

Microregionality in the transition from foraging to farming in Dalmatia, Croatia

The emergence of farming as the default method of subsistence for humans has been heavily theorized and debated for over a century, with Europe sensu lato a target for research from the beginnings of systematic archaeology. Social models may work well at large scales, but fail at smaller scales. Environmental models may provide satisfactory explanations at small scales of analysis, but fail at larger scales. Social models fall into three clusters: Wave of Advance, involving demic diffusion; Enculturation, involving demic or cultural diffusion; and Porous Boundaries, involving mutual enculturation by foragers and farmers. In the same way, environmental models fall into three clusters: Deterministic; Substrate/Backdrop; and quasi-agentive Frameworks of Possibility. This thesis examines and compares three well-published sites of early emergence of farming in Dalmatia, Croatia, assessing ways in which site-specific microregionality affects interpretation according to social and environmental models. Diachronic intra-site and synchronic inter-site comparisons of microregions and subsistence economies suggest that microregionality, as the site-specific interaction of geography and climate, may be a significant factor in the emergence of farming, and in the development of particular food production lifeways. Microregionality is not a stand-alone explanation, but serves to develop nuanced interpretations at site-specific, local, regional, and macroregional levels.

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