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A gentle man named Robert Braidwood, coined the ‘hilly flanks’ term shortly after WW2
He had done the un-ordinary. Purposing the neolithic revolution had begin in these areas. Because some of these areas may have received enough rainfall naturally. And, from snowfall. They wouldn’t have needed irrigation. This transition from hunter gather would have been significant. It lead to the development of settled communities and the growth of civilization.

It includes a large location: Turkey, NW Iraq, western Iran
Natural borders are the Zargos mountains to the north, Iranian plateau to the east, Tigris river to south, and Mesopotamia to west. In this area, scientists noticed many of the characteristic for origins of agriculture. From white snow capped mountains. It was not just the natural water. Over this 1000 mile stretch. There were wild grains, like barley that grew naturally. And, sheep and goats roamed too. Most of the area region lies within the northern highlands of the Levant.

Common to many historical early farming sites
Early farming characteristics include elevated sites located around river catchments.

Tokens, figurines were found here. And, pottery
Including the identification of femininity. Things like figurines and neolithic jewelry were found here. Exacerbating the hips and thighs, and a female body. The tokens found. Were shaped as balls, cones, buttons and teardrops. It was more rare but pottery was also found here.

Grains included: Barley, wheat legumes, grains

Sheep and Goats were domesticated. As, well as pigs and cattle

Robert Braidwood led the Jarmo project in the 1950s
In the ‘Hilly Flanks’, Robert and his wife discovered many floral, faunal and archaeological remains. Indicating a shift from wild species hunting and gathering. To a more dependent system. Using the domestication of plants, animals, as well, there by-products. People begin living organically. Additionally, due to the environment and 10,000 years ago. Recent studies show lower pleistocene snow lines in the region. There may have also been increases in precipitation. Due to glaciers and snow melting in the atmosphere; and, early holocene.

Opposition to the ‘oasis’ theory (Gordon Childe). That purposes more of a well watered desert
Robert and his wifes ‘hilly flanks’ theory. Is generally the more accepted. Because the development of land, and disintegrated remains (morphogenesis). Sites eventually show signs of overuse, (and eventually) destruction by agriculture. It has taken quite some time to prove. But the archeological techniques and skill show this.

Did you know? Some researchers used ‘hilly flanks’ to refer to a northern fertile (or foothill) arc in China too.

Playing a crucial role in the development of early human societies and the growth of civilization. The ‘hilly flanks’ region in the near east is where agriculture is believed to have originated.

Bibliography: Hirst, K. Kris. “What Is the Oasis Theory?” (https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-oasis-t heory-171996)

Hirst, K. Kris. “What are the Hilly Flanks in Agriculture?” (https://www.thoughtco.com/hilly- flanks-theory-agriculture-171269). ThoughtCo

Richardson (2019). “Pre-Pottery Clay Innovation in the Zagros Foothills” (https://doi.org/1 0.1111/ojoa.12155). Oxford Journal of Archaeology. 38 (1): 2\’9617. doi:10.1111/ojoa.12155 (https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fojoa.12155)

Giraud, Jessica; Baldi, Johnny S.; Bonilauri, St\’e9phanie; Mashkour, Marjan; Lem\’e9e, Marion; Pichon, Fiona; Mura, Mathilde; Pot, Marie-Aliette; Jamialahmadi, Mana; Biglari, Fereidoun; Rasheed, Kamal (2019-12-01). “Human occupation along the foothills of Northwestern Zagros during the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene in the Rania and Peshdar plains” (ht tps://dx.doi.org/10.4000/paleorient.702). Pal\’e9orient (45\’962): 85\’96119. doi:10.4000/paleorient.702 (https://doi.org/10.4000%2Fpaleorient.702). ISSN 0153-9345 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0153-9345)