© Getty images DeagostiniResearchers examined 2,378 archaeological sites from nine regions of Neolithic Europe to determine if early warning signs were present before the collapse of a civilization. The image above illustrates life in the Neolithic Age
It has been seen all throughout human history - a bustling community experiences a population boom and technological advancement until, seemingly overnight, it plummets into total collapse.
Now, researchers may have developed the framework to predict these events before they happen.
By analyzing archaeological records of the European Neolithic communities, which existed roughly 9,000 years ago, researchers have identified the early warning signals linked to societal downfall.
In a study published to
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they explain that this new framework could help to prevent future catastrophes as the modern world copes with major societal shifts.
The researchers from the University of Maryland and University College London investigated whether early warning signals are present when an ecosystem begins to show declining resilience.
This phenomenon can indicate the forthcoming of 'major reorganization,' or a regime shift within the ecosystem, and subsequently, a collapse.
To do this, they examined 2,378 archaeological sites from nine regions of Neolithic Europe.
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