An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s1.1

v1.c21.s1.1

The significance of agriculture and irrigation to archaeological studies was first emphasized by Childe, 1942, at the level of generalizations. He described the introduction of agriculture in Neolithic societies as being in the nature of a revolutionary change, moving from subsistence agriculture at the initial stage to self-sufficiency and a food-producing economy at a further stage. Since Childe first discussed this change a considerable quantum of archaeological data has been collected and fresh interpretations offered on the role of agriculture at various stages of social change as well as on the correlation of agricultural technology to social formations, as is evident from a number of recent studies, e.g. Streuver. 1971.