History & Area Studies / World History / Ancient & Medieval History

How Prehistoric Societies in the Central Alps Built Complex Networks Without Central Power

Dynamics and Communication of Prehistoric Societies in the Central Alps

Mirco Brunner

Mirco Brunner's study, 'Dynamics and Communication of Prehistoric Societies in the Central Alps,' challenges the traditional view of the Alps as a barrier. Instead, it reveals how Neolithic to Bronze Age societies used the region as a dynamic communication space. Through advanced methods like Bayesian modeling and GIS network analysis, Brunner shows that these societies developed decentralized, complex trade networks—without the need for chiefs or states. Key findings include the 'bottleneck' routes that facilitated daily travel, the role of 'Xenia' hospitality in long-distance trade, and how collective action in highland communities resisted elite control. This video unpacks how these prehistoric networks functioned, offering a fresh perspective on social complexity and resilience. Watch to understand how ancient people turned a mountain range into a highway of ideas and goods.