The fertile crescent of Mesopotamia, birthplace of some of humanity’s earliest and most influential civilizations, wasn’t always a peaceful haven. A recent international study by researchers from the Universities of Tübingen, Barcelona, and Warsaw challenges simplistic narratives about violence in this region. Their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, reveal a fascinating rise and fall of violence intertwined with the development of the first cities.
The team meticulously examined over 3,539 skeletons from a vast region encompassing modern-day Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey. Their focus was on identifying telltale signs of violent encounters – bone trauma not explainable by accidents or animal attacks. This extensive dataset allowed them to reconstruct a timeline of interpersonal violence spanning an impressive timeframe, from 12,000 BCE to 400 BCE.
This period witnessed monumental transformations that shaped human history. It saw the shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities, culminating in the groundbreaking rise of the first cities and states.
“Our analysis revealed a distinct pattern,” explains Joerg Baten, project manager and economic history expert at the University of Tübingen. “The ratio of violent deaths peaked between 4,500 and 3,300 BCE, before experiencing a significant decline over the next 2,000 years.”
These findings challenge established perspectives on violence. Psychologist Steven Pinker’s influential view posits a long-term, steady decrease in violence since the days of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Conversely, others argue that the rise of cities and centralized power inevitably led to increased warfare and societal violence.
The new study offers a more nuanced picture. The researchers propose that the initial surge in violence stemmed from the inherent challenges of early urban life. Imagine tightly packed settlements with limited resources and nascent social structures. Such conditions likely fueled conflict and interpersonal violence.
But the story doesn’t end there. As these early civilizations matured, the development of crucial institutions appears to have played a pivotal role in curbing violence. Legal systems codified rules and established consequences for transgressions. Centralized armies provided a sense of security and potentially deterred aggression. Religious institutions, with their unifying rituals and moral codes, might have further fostered social cohesion and discouraged violence.
Another crucial factor contributing to the decline in violence was the flourishing of trade during the Early and Middle Bronze Age. Archaeological evidence, such as clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script – the world’s earliest writing system – functioned as invoices and delivery records, highlighting the growth of trade networks across Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean. This economic interdependence likely fostered a sense of regional stability, further reducing the incentive for conflict.
“Even in the face of declining agricultural yields and growing income inequality during the Middle Bronze Age,” explains Giacomo Benati, co-author from the University of Barcelona, “stronger institutions seem to have maintained a relative level of security.”
However, history rarely follows a linear path. The Late Bronze Age witnessed a dramatic shift. Around 1200 BCE, many sophisticated civilizations experienced collapse. This period coincided with a devastating climate crisis that lasted for roughly 300 years, triggering widespread societal upheaval and population movements. These factors combined to once again push violence to the forefront, as evidenced by the increase in the ratio of violent deaths identified in the skeletal analysis.
The study provides valuable insights into the intricate connection between societal evolution and violence. While the initial stages of urban life brought a surge in conflict, the development of social structures ultimately served to mitigate it. However, the research also highlights the fragility of peace. Major disruptive events, such as societal collapse or climate change, can easily unravel the progress made and plunge societies back into a cycle of violence.
This nuanced understanding of violence in Mesopotamia offers valuable lessons for our own complex and interconnected world. It emphasizes the importance of strong institutions, economic cooperation, and environmental stability in fostering peace and security.
Source: University of Tübingen