Mayshar, Joram, Moav, Omer, Neeman, Zvika and Pascali, Luigi (2016) Cereals, appropriability and hierarchy. Working Paper. Coventry: University of Warwick. Department of Economics. Warwick economics research papers series (WERPS) (1130). (Unpublished)

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Abstract

We propose that the development of social hierarchy following the Neolithic Revolution was due to the ability of the emergent elite to appropriate crops from farmers, rather than a result of increased productivity, as usually maintained. Since cereals are easier to appropriate than roots and tubers, we argue that regional variations in the suitability of land for the cultivation of these different crop types can account for differences in the formation of hierarchies and states. Our empirical investigation supports a causal effect of the cultivation of cereals on hierarchy, and the lack of a similar effect of land productivity

Item Type:	Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CB History of civilization G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Neolithic period -- Egypt, Ancient, Civilization, Ancient, Agriculture, Geography
Series Name:	Warwick economics research papers series (WERPS)
Publisher:	University of Warwick. Department of Economics
Place of Publication:	Coventry
ISSN:	0083-7350
Official Date:	October 2016
Dates:	Date Event October 2016 Available
Number:	1130
Number of Pages:	84
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Funder:	Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
Grant number:	Grant No. 73/11
Related URLs:	Open Access File

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