| The Neolithic |
|---|
| ↑ Mesolithic |
| ↓ Chalcolithic |
The Neolithic decline was a rapid collapse in populations between about 3450 and 3000 BCE[1][2] during the Neolithic period in western Eurasia. The specific causes of that broad population decline are still debated.[2] While heavily populated settlements were regularly created, abandoned, and resettled during the Neolithic, after around 5400 years ago, a great number of those settlements were permanently abandoned.[2] The population decline is associated with worsening agricultural conditions and a decrease in cereal production.[3] Other suggested causes include the emergence of communicable diseases spread from animals living in close quarters with humans.[2]
The population increase between 5950 and 5550 BP (4000 to 3600 BC) that preceded the decline was catalysed by the introduction of agriculture,[4][3] along with the spread of technologies such as pottery, the wheel, and animal husbandry.[2] After the Neolithic decline, there were massive human migrations from the Pontic–Caspian steppe into eastern and central Europe, beginning approximately 4800 BP (2850 BC).[2]
- ^ Starting around 5400 BP and ending around 5000 years ago, according to the Rascovan et al. reference.
- ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
atlanticwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page).