Neolithic decline

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.
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[1] Starting around 5400 BP and ending around 5000 years ago, according to the Rascovan et al. reference.

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