The Influence of Enhanced Post-Glacial Coastal Margin Productivity on the Emergence of Complex Societies

John W. Day; Joel D. Gunn; William J. Folan; Alejandro Yáñez-Arancibia; Benjamin P. Horton

doi:10.1080/15564894.2011.650346

The Influence of Enhanced Post-Glacial Coastal Margin Productivity on the Emergence of Complex Societies

John W. Day
, Joel D. Gunn
, William J. Folan
, Alejandro Yáñez-Arancibia
, Benjamin P. Horton

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We analyze the dynamics of post-glacial coastal margin (CM) productivity and explore how it affected the emergence of six complex CM societies. Following deglaciation, global relative sea level stabilized after ~7000 BP and CM productivity significantly increased in many areas. Primary and secondary productivity (fish) likely increased by an order of magnitude or more. Aquatic animals were readily available in the CM providing sources of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and nutrients, especially essential to human nutrition. In all six case studies, mature CMs appear to have been occupied by Neolithic agricultural and fishing villages within ~500 years of sea-level stabilization. Within a few hundred years population densities increased and roughly a millennium later social ranking and monumental architecture appeared. Sea-level stabilization and increased CM productivity in conjunction with agricultural intensification in lower alluvial floodplains were major contributors to the origins of many complex CM societies. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	23-52
Journal	Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology
Volume	7
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2011.650346
Publication status	Published - Jan 2012
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger

Research Keywords

DHA
estuarine ecology
origins of complex society
paleo-diet
polyunsaturated fatty acids
relative sea level

Policy Impact

Cited in Policy Documents

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10.1080/15564894.2011.650346

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abstract = "We analyze the dynamics of post-glacial coastal margin (CM) productivity and explore how it affected the emergence of six complex CM societies. Following deglaciation, global relative sea level stabilized after \textasciitilde{}7000 BP and CM productivity significantly increased in many areas. Primary and secondary productivity (fish) likely increased by an order of magnitude or more. Aquatic animals were readily available in the CM providing sources of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and nutrients, especially essential to human nutrition. In all six case studies, mature CMs appear to have been occupied by Neolithic agricultural and fishing villages within \textasciitilde{}500 years of sea-level stabilization. Within a few hundred years population densities increased and roughly a millennium later social ranking and monumental architecture appeared. Sea-level stabilization and increased CM productivity in conjunction with agricultural intensification in lower alluvial floodplains were major contributors to the origins of many complex CM societies. {\textcopyright} 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.",

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AU - Horton, Benjamin P.

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AB - We analyze the dynamics of post-glacial coastal margin (CM) productivity and explore how it affected the emergence of six complex CM societies. Following deglaciation, global relative sea level stabilized after ~7000 BP and CM productivity significantly increased in many areas. Primary and secondary productivity (fish) likely increased by an order of magnitude or more. Aquatic animals were readily available in the CM providing sources of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and nutrients, especially essential to human nutrition. In all six case studies, mature CMs appear to have been occupied by Neolithic agricultural and fishing villages within ~500 years of sea-level stabilization. Within a few hundred years population densities increased and roughly a millennium later social ranking and monumental architecture appeared. Sea-level stabilization and increased CM productivity in conjunction with agricultural intensification in lower alluvial floodplains were major contributors to the origins of many complex CM societies. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

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KW - origins of complex society

KW - paleo-diet

KW - polyunsaturated fatty acids

KW - relative sea level

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The Influence of Enhanced Post-Glacial Coastal Margin Productivity on the Emergence of Complex Societies

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Policy Impact

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