Settlement Sizes and Agricultural Production Territories: A Remote Sensing Case Study for the Early Bronze Age in Upper Mesopotamia

Abstract Archaeological data from Upper Mesopotamia provide ample information on the extent of agricultural production territories around tell-based nucleated settlements as well as site sizes —as a proxy for ancient populations. In following, this study investigates the potential relationship between settlement sizes and food production levels during the Early Bronze Age. To start with, CORONA imagery is used to document landscape evidences of past production and settlement sizes. Second, a biological crop-growth model is built over AVHRR-NDVI data, coupled with precipitation values from the region. This model makes it possible to estimate annual production amount at sample locations. Finally, modern day production analogies are constructed in order to explore modelling data and to understand rain-fed agricultural strategies in the Early Bronze Age. CORONA-AVHRR remote sensing survey results reveal no significant relationship between archaeological sites and their production territories (r=0.40). Likewise, the relationship between site areas and estimated staples production is also a weak one (r=0.30). On the other hand, if one considers biennial fallowing as a production strategy, the relationship becomes significant (r=0.85). Furthermore, model data suggests only settlements smaller than 50 hectares were potentially practicing biennial fallowing —suggesting population pressure on production at larger settlements. Statements of significance The study challenges the normative assumption that there is a direct relationship between populations and local agricultural production. The analysis is possible only when the production landscapes are considered as dynamic environments, responding to changes in the environment, but also influenced by the choice of production strategies. Data availability Production statistics (tons/ha) are available for the years between 1982 and 2006 in shp format as a supplement to this paper. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT