By Bryan Walsh, November 13, 2021
A new book aims to rewrite the standard version of early human history that inequality was the inevitable result of the rise of agriculture and urban civilization.
Why it matters: If some of our early ancestors were able to farm and build cities without adopting a highly stratified social organization, then it’s possible we too could chart a fairer and more egalitarian future.
The big picture: The standard history of humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers is straightforward.
