The Neolithic and its origins remain among the most debated topics in archaeology, with extensive literature on the subject. Adding a piece to this extensive narrative is no small feat, given the vast amount of ink already spent on this subject. Trevor Watkins’ book, Becoming Neolithic: The Pivot of Human History, succeeds in this challenge by offering an updated and comprehensive, yet succinct, account of the origins of the Neolithic, or, using his own words, the Epipalaeolithic-Neolithic transition in Southwest Asia. It includes numerous original theoretical insights that reflect the author’s scientific background and his personal contributions to the study of early Neolithic societies through cultural evolutionary theory. This book is highly recommended for all researchers working on the Neolithic, as well as those with a broader interest in human history. Although the book is academic in nature, its clear narrative of the evolution of hunter-gatherer societies from the Upper Palaeolithic to the threshold of the first Mesopotamian urban societies makes it a useful and accessible introduction for early-career students.
MAZZUCCO, N. (2024) Trevor Watkins. 2023. Becoming Neolithic. The Pivot of Human History (London and New York: Routledge, 232p., 47 b/w figs., ISBN 978-0-415-22152-8). European Journal of Archaeology, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2024.32