Here's what caused the very first wealth inequalities 💰

Wealth inequality dates back more than 10,000 years, long before the emergence of the first civilizations. A recent study revolutionizes our understanding of ancient societies, revealing unexpected economic disparities.

Researchers analyzed the size of dwellings across more than 1,100 archaeological sites worldwide. This innovative method allowed them to measure wealth inequality in prehistoric societies, long before the invention of writing.


The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that inequality began to rise about 1,500 years after the advent of agriculture. Population growth and social complexity played a key role in this development.

Researchers used the Gini coefficient to assess economic disparities. The results indicate that early farming communities were relatively egalitarian, but inequality intensified as societies expanded.

Technological innovations, such as irrigation, boosted agricultural production but also widened wealth gaps. Some advancements, like iron metallurgy, had an equalizing effect by improving access to tools.

This international research involved 27 scientists from various institutions. It highlights the importance of archaeology in understanding ancient social dynamics and their modern-day implications.

The findings challenge the notion of a uniformly poor preindustrial world. Instead, they reveal a gradual accumulation of wealth and marked economic disparities from the earliest farming societies.

How is inequality measured in ancient societies?

Archaeologists often use dwelling size as an indicator of wealth. This method is based on the assumption that larger houses reflect higher social status.

The Gini coefficient, a statistical tool, is applied to quantify disparities. It allows comparisons of inequality across different periods and regions.

This approach revealed that early farming societies were relatively egalitarian. Inequality grew as social structures became more complex.

Archaeological data thus complement written sources, offering a more comprehensive view of human societal evolution.

What role did agriculture play in the emergence of inequality?

Agriculture marked a turning point in human history by enabling settlement. It also introduced new forms of social and economic organization.

Ownership of fertile land became a crucial issue. Individuals and families who controlled these resources could accumulate more wealth.

Agricultural innovations, like irrigation, increased yields but also disparities. They favored those who could invest in these technologies.

This dynamic led to the formation of social hierarchies, with wealth increasingly concentrated in the hands of an elite.