Radiocarbon dates and Bayesian modeling support maritime diffusion model for megaliths in Europe

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Prehistory
• European History

Background:

• Two hypotheses exist for European megalith origins: diffusion from the Near East or independent regional developments.
• The regional independent development model has dominated recent megalithic research.
• Previous research relied on early radiocarbon dating, leading to the independent development hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve the long-standing debate on the origin and spread of megaliths in Europe.
• To test the maritime diffusion versus regional independent development hypotheses.
• To provide a statistically robust analysis of available radiocarbon data.

Main Methods:

• Application of a Bayesian statistical approach.
• Analysis of 2,410 radiocarbon results from megalithic, premegalithic, and contemporaneous non-megalithic contexts.
• Focus on European sites, including northwest France, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic coast of Iberia.

Main Results:

• Megalithic graves emerged within a 200–300 year period in the second half of the fifth millennium calibrated years BC.
• Evidence supports the emergence of megaliths in northwest France, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic coast of Iberia.
• Decisive support found for the spread of megaliths along a sea route in three distinct phases.

Conclusions:

• The maritime diffusion model is the most likely explanation for the expansion of megaliths across Europe.
• The study challenges the long-held view of independent regional developments.
• The findings suggest a rapid, coordinated spread of megalithic construction via maritime routes.