Overkill, Extinction, and the Neolithic Revolution

Abstract

This research investigates the biogeographical origins of the emergence and spread of agriculture, commonly known as the Neolithic Revolution—one of the most profound transformations in human history. The Neolithic Revolution is a foundational event that shaped modern economic development and inequality through its lasting impact on institutions and culture. The central theory posits that mammal species with specific biological traits were particularly vulnerable to hunting pressure, leading to their extinction. This depletion of hunting resources, in turn, drove humans toward agriculture as an alternative means of sustenance. To test this hypothesis, I developed a measure to quantify the loss of hunting resources caused by extinction. By integrating diverse complementary datasets, accounting for ancient climatic factors, and utilizing certain biological traits that heighten extinction risk as exogenous variables, this research demonstrates that the extinction of large herbivores played a significant role in catalyzing the Neolithic Revolution.