How the Neolithic Revolution Has Unfolded: Invention and Adoption or Change and Adaptation? Addressing the Diffusion Controversy about Initial Domestication

Abstract : It is widely agreed that initial domestication of plants and animals can be considered as the major innovation underlying the Neolithic revolution. There is however a controversy about how it has unfolded. One view supports it was an invention with subsequent adoption, and stresses the role of human intention in a rapid transition, geographically focused. The other view contends it was change and subsequent adaptation, and highlights the role of chance and co-evolution in a protracted and spatially diffused process. Thanks to recent developments of archaeobotany and archaeozoology, we evaluate both views and conclude that the latter is more relevant.