Echoes of Inequality

A new study, encompassing data from over 1,000 archaeological sites worldwide, analyzes the shift from egalitarian societies to stratified, class-based systems. The research, led by Samuel Bowles and Krishna Karra, focuses on quantifying economic inequality using mortuary remains as a proxy for wealth distribution. The study examines burial sites spanning multiple millennia and continents, identifying indicators of material wealth disparities to assess the emergence and intensity of inequality. The research highlights that the move away from egalitarianism was not a uniform or linear process. Certain regions and cultures experienced earlier and more pronounced stratification than others. The study emphasizes that the adoption of agriculture, while often associated with increased inequality, did not automatically lead to its development. Factors such as population density, resource concentration, and the potential for controlling labor contributed significantly to the rise of class divisions. Furthermore, the study identifies evidence of “leveling mechanisms” or resistance to the concentration of wealth in some societies. These mechanisms include social norms and practices that prevented the accumulation of power and resources by individuals or groups. However, these mechanisms eventually proved insufficient in the face of evolving economic and social pressures, leading to the widespread adoption of hierarchical structures and class societies. The research suggests that the transition to inequality was a complex and contested process, shaped by a combination of ecological, economic, and social factors. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/07/sukj-m07.html