How Expanded Opportunities Drove Europe's First Mega-Settlements

Exploring Human Development Through Ancient Lenses

What made Europe’s first mega-settlements flourish nearly 6,000 years ago? A new study suggests it wasn’t just climate change or population pressure driving innovation but the allure of expanded opportunities and social equality. Researchers from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence at Kiel University have introduced a groundbreaking way¹ to apply modern philosophical concepts, like the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), to ancient societies, offering fresh perspectives on how and why these communities thrived.

From Philosophy to Archaeology: The Capability Approach

The HDI, widely used today to evaluate well-being through health, education, and living standards, traces its roots to the capability approach developed by philosopher and economist Amartya Sen. This approach emphasizes that well-being is not just about material wealth but also about opportunities and freedoms to live a fulfilling life.

Dr. Vesa Arponen, one of the study’s authors, explains:

“For the first time, we were able to connect archaeological categories with those of the Human Development Index, bridging the distant past with contemporary perspectives.”

Applying this concept to ancient societies presented a challenge. How can static material remains—pottery shards, tools, and structures—reveal the dynamic activities and social systems of the past?

Europe's First Mega-Settlements: A Case Study

To address this, the researchers turned to the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture, a prehistoric society flourishing between 5050 and 2950 BCE in what is now Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Known for their sprawling, ring-shaped settlements—some spanning up to 320 hectares and housing as many as 17,000 people—these communities represent an ideal case study.

By aligning archaeological evidence with HDI dimensions such as innovation and social organization, the team uncovered compelling insights into how these settlements operated and grew.

Opportunities Driving Growth and Innovation

The findings challenge traditional narratives attributing the rise of mega-settlements to external pressures like climate change or resource scarcity. Instead, the study proposes that these communities attracted people through the promise of expanded opportunities and active participation in society.

Dr. Arponen elaborates:

“Our analysis suggests that the settlements’ success wasn’t merely a reaction to external challenges but was driven by people seeking new opportunities for self-realization.”

Evidence of innovation, such as the appearance of advanced plows and looms, underscores how these communities supported technological and social progress.

Rethinking Social Structures in Prehistoric Societies

Previous research has highlighted social equality as a hallmark of Cucuteni-Trypillia communities during their peak. The new study supports this view but shifts the explanation. Rather than seeing equality as a response to environmental or demographic pressures, it frames it as a factor that actively drew people to these settlements, creating a feedback loop of growth and innovation.

Reconstruction drawing of a meeting scene in a Cucuteni-Trypillia settlement. In their heyday, these settlements were characterised by great social equality. Credit: Susanne Beyer, Uni Kiel

Dr. René Ohlrau, a co-author of the study, notes:

“These societies offered opportunities for individuals to contribute actively, fostering a sense of collective progress and innovation.”

Implications for Archaeology and Future Research

This approach marks a significant shift in how archaeologists interpret the past. By incorporating philosophical frameworks like the capability approach, researchers can explore ancient societies in new ways, questioning long-held assumptions and opening avenues for fresh debates.

“This methodology allows us to reinterpret developments in ancient societies, encouraging us to view archaeological findings through a more dynamic and human-centered lens,” says Dr. Arponen.

The team plans to apply their framework to other prehistoric societies, further refining our understanding of human development across time and cultures.

Bridging the Past and Present

This research not only sheds light on Europe’s first mega-settlements but also underscores the relevance of ancient societies to modern discussions about human well-being. By linking contemporary concepts like the HDI to archaeology, it bridges the gap between past and present, offering valuable insights into the universal drivers of human progress.

Related Research

These works provide a robust exploration of philosophical and theoretical frameworks shaping archaeological interpretation and practice.

1. Wylie, A. (1998).
   Philosophy of archaeology.
   Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
   PDF available
   Examines how philosophical frameworks, such as empiricism and constructivism, shape archaeological theory and methods.

2. Olsen, B., & Johnsen, H. (1992).
   Hermeneutics and archaeology: On the philosophy of contextual archaeology.
   American Antiquity, 57(1), 50–56. DOI:10.2307/506135
   Explores hermeneutics as a method for interpreting archaeological contexts and transforming data into meaningful insights.

3. Teixeira, Í. B. B. (2019).
   A philosophical reflection on autonomy and vulnerability in the context of archaeological practice.
   University of Lisbon Repository.
   PDF available
   Offers a critique of modern archaeological practices, emphasizing ethical considerations.

4. Shanks, M., & Tilley, C. (1987).
   Social theory and archaeology.
   Cambridge: Polity Press.
   PDF available
   Discusses how social theories provide tools for interpreting material culture and social structures in past societies.

5. Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2013).
   Archaeology: The key concepts.
   Routledge.
   PDF available
   Explores core theoretical concepts, including the philosophical underpinnings of archaeological methodologies.

6. Kristiansen, K., & Rowlands, M. (2005).
   Social transformations in archaeology: Global and local perspectives.
   Routledge.
   DOI:10.4324/9780203984550
   Investigates the impact of long-term social transformations on archaeological interpretation.

7. Malafouris, L., & Gosden, C. (2015).
   Process archaeology (P-arch).
   World Archaeology, 47(5), 565–583.
   PDF available
   Introduces a process-oriented approach to interpreting material culture.

8. McGuire, R. H. (2008).
   Archaeology as political action.
   University of California Press.
   PDF available
   Emphasizes the role of archaeological research in addressing contemporary social and political issues.

9. van der Leeuw, S. E., & McGlade, J. (2013).
   Time, process, and structured transformation in archaeology.
   Routledge.
   Available here
   Investigates how temporal and structural changes influence archaeological interpretations.

10. Crellin, R. J. (2020).
    Change and archaeology.
    Routledge.
    PDF available
    Introduces new frameworks for interpreting changes within archaeological records.

1. Arponen, V. P. J., Ohlrau, R., & Kerig, T. (2024). The Capability Approach and archaeological interpretation of transformations: On the role of philosophy for archaeology. Open Archaeology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2024-0013