Models of the Neolithic dispersal in Southern Asia
The Fertile Crescent in the Near East is one of the independent sources of the Neolithic. Farming and pottery making spread across Europe from the Fertile Crescent from 9,000 to 6,000 years ago at an average rate of about 1 km/yr. The Neolithic in the Near East and the Indian subcontinent is far less explored in terms of absolute (14C) dates as compared to the European Neolithic. The Neolithic chronology in the Indian subcontinent is mainly established with comparative dating and few 14C dates are available from the region. Hence, though a strong causal connection between the Neolithic of the Near East and the Indus valley has been suggested, any detailed study has been challenging. The different nature of the archaeological and 14C dates and their uncertainties make it difficult to combine them in any quantitative analysis of the Neolithic. We overcome this by allocating different uncertainties and thus compile a comprehensive database of Early Neolithic dates in South Asia. Using the earliest Neolithic arrival time(s) for each site, the globally averaged Neolithic dispersal speed from the Near East to the Indian subcontinent is calculated to be U = 0.65 Â± 0.1 km/yr. Further inspection of the data shows
Gangal, Kavita
Models of the Neolithic dispersal in Southern Asia. The Fertile Crescent in the Near East is one of the independent sources of the Neolithic. Farming and pottery making spread across Europe from the Fertile Crescent from 9,000 to 6,000 years ago at an average rate of about 1 km/yr. The Neolithic in the Near East and the Indian subcontinent is far less explored in terms of absolute (14C) dates as compared to the European Neolithic. The Neolithic chronology in the Indian subcontinent is mainly established with comparative dating and few 14C dates are available from the region. Hence, though a strong causal connection between the Neolithic of the Near East and the Indus valley has been suggested, any detailed study has been challenging. The different nature of the archaeological and 14C dates and their uncertainties make it difficult to combine them in any quantitative analysis of the Neolithic. We overcome this by allocating different uncertainties and thus compile a comprehensive database of Early Neolithic dates in South Asia. Using the earliest Neolithic arrival time(s) for each site, the globally averaged Neolithic dispersal speed from the Near East to the Indian subcontinent is calculated to be U = 0.65 Â± 0.1 km/yr. Further inspection of the data shows
models neolithic dispersal southern asia fertile near_east independent source neolithic farming pottery make spread_across europe fertile average rate neolithic near east indian subcontinent far_less explored term absolute_date compare european neolithic neolithic chronology indian_subcontinent mainly establish comparative date date available region hence though strong causal connection neolithic near east valley suggest detail_study challenging different nature archaeological date uncertainty make_difficult combine_quantitative analysis neolithic overcome allocate different uncertainty thus compile comprehensive database early_neolithic date south_asia using early_neolithic arrival time site globally average neolithic dispersal speed near east indian subcontinent calculate inspection data_show