V. Gordon Childe

V. Gordon Childe was a prominent archaeologist and historian known for his contributions to understanding human prehistory and the development of civilizations. He emphasized the importance of material conditions, such as agriculture and technology, in shaping societal structures. Childe's cyclical theory of history suggested that societies undergo patterns of rise, zenith, decline, and collapse, influenced by factors like resource management and environmental changes. He is often associated with historical materialism, which focuses on how material conditions and economic factors drive historical development, contrasting with notions that prioritize ideas or individuals in shaping history.