Archaeology, the discipline that deciphers the remnants of human history, often focuses on interpreting material objects such as ceramic fragments, structural remains, and bones. However, understanding the complex social dynamics, ideas, and emotions of ancient peoples requires more abstract tools. This is where philosophical concepts come into play. While traditionally confined to theoretical debates, they are now being proposed as practical tools for analyzing concrete findings.

In an innovative article published in Open Archaeology, an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists and a philosopher from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence at Kiel University presented a methodology based on the philosophical concept of the “capabilities approach.” This approach, linked to the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI), was applied to early European mega-settlements dating back 7,000 to 5,000 years, offering a unique perspective to connect the distant past with the present.

The capabilities approach, developed by philosopher and economist Amartya Sen in the 1970s and 1980s, posits that human well-being does not rely solely on material possessions but also on the opportunities and capabilities that allow individuals and groups to lead active and meaningful lives. This concept, underpinning the contemporary HDI, presents a challenge when transferred to the archaeological domain: How can we reconstruct dynamic aspects of ancient societies from static material remains?

cucuteni
The distribution of the Cucuteni-Trypillia complex with the location of sites mentioned in the text. Credit: V. P. J. Arponen et al.

To address this question, the researchers linked HDI indicators to archaeological evidence. For example, the standard of living, a key HDI dimension, can be reflected in a society’s capacity for innovation. In archaeological terms, this manifests in the emergence of new technologies, such as plow or loom designs, which leave tangible traces in the material record.

The study focused on the Cucuteni-Trypillia communities, which existed between approximately 5050 and 2950 BCE in what are now Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. These societies, known for their circular settlements spanning up to 320 hectares and housing populations of up to 17,000 people, represent an ideal case for applying the capabilities approach.

The analysis revealed that during their peak, these settlements exhibited a notable degree of social equality and provided ample opportunities for individuals to actively participate in community life. However, the study also offers new explanations for the development of these societies.

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Urban planning in the form of habitable concentric walls of the Cucuteni-Tripilia culture. Credit: Kenny Arne Lang Antonsen & Jimmy John Antonsen / Wikimedia Commons

Cucuteni culture evolved from the Danubian Linear Pottery culture and is often defined as the first instance of urban settlement in Europe (some even describe them as proto-city-states), despite typically being small villages separated by three or four kilometers. In a later phase, they grew to house tens of thousands of inhabitants, as seen in Trypillia (Cucuteni villages were slightly smaller, with populations of no more than 4,000 people). This culture is notably recognized for intentionally burning its villages periodically.

Traditionally, the growth of these settlements has been attributed to factors such as climate change or population increases, which were thought to drive technological and political innovations. According to the researchers, the reverse may have occurred: increased opportunities and avenues for personal fulfillment attracted more people, which, in turn, fueled population growth and innovation.

This approach not only provides a new way of interpreting ancient societies but also challenges traditional explanatory patterns in archaeology. By applying the Human Development Index to past contexts, the researchers are fostering novel discussions about how to understand archaeological findings and the underlying social dynamics. In the future, this methodology could be extended to other cultures and historical periods, enriching the way we interpret the evolution of human societies.

SOURCES

Kiel University

Arponen, V. P. J., Ohlrau, René and Kerig, Tim. The Capability Approach and Archaeological Interpretation of Transformations: On the Role of Philosophy for Archaeology. Open Archaeology, vol. 10, no. 1, 2024, pp. 20240013. doi.org/10.1515/opar-2024-0013

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