Souvatzi, S. 2007. Social complexity is not the same as hierarchy. (original) (raw)

The paper critiques the prevalent assumption in archaeology that social complexity inherently correlates with hierarchy, suggesting a need for a paradigm shift. It emphasizes the limitations of traditional frameworks that emphasize economic manipulation and social stratification, advocating for a nuanced understanding of social relationships that considers structural diversity and the absence of evident hierarchy in certain Neolithic sites in Greece. The analysis of settlement patterns and household structures reveals significant variations in social organization, challenging the deterministic views of past societies.