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An Introduction to Simulating Transitions to Agriculture in Prehistory

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Simulating Transitions to Agriculture in Prehistory

Part of the book series: Computational Social Sciences ((SIPA))

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Abstract

Most models or explanations of the past attempt to integrate a wide array of social and ecological processes while relying on modest amounts of evidence. This makes the validation of such models challenging, especially when explanations apply to wide geographical or chronological contexts, such as the transition to agriculture across Europe. Computational modeling allows for the formalization and testing of conceptual models while allowing other researchers to replicate that research. The formalization and open availability of such models is critical for a better understanding of this transition and large-scale complex processes in the past. We review successful attempts to use computational modeling in archaeology and outline the benefits of using computational models to understand the past.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Complex Adaptive Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Sean Bergin

  2. Departamento de Geografía e Historia, Universidad de la Laguna, San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Salvador Pardo-Gordó

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  1. Sean Bergin
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  2. Salvador Pardo-Gordó
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Correspondence to Sean Bergin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Geografía e Historia, Universidad de la Laguna San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Santa Cruz, Spain

    Salvador Pardo-Gordó

  2. School of Complex Adaptive Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Sean Bergin

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Bergin, S., Pardo-Gordó, S. (2021). An Introduction to Simulating Transitions to Agriculture in Prehistory. In: Pardo-Gordó, S., Bergin, S. (eds) Simulating Transitions to Agriculture in Prehistory . Computational Social Sciences(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83643-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83643-6_1

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