Shatilo L. Neolithic Transition in South-East Europe, historiography. - Manuscript copyright.

Dissertation is devoted to the history of the research process of neolitization of South-East Europe. On the basis of works devoted to the problems of Neolithic transition in the region, and taking into account the data of archaeological research conducted in this area, there was realized a study on the development of the scientific knowledge of the transition to the agricultural economy on the territory of South-Eastern Europe. South-Eastern Europe in the early Neolithic was a single cultural macro-region, where the distinctive development of farming communities, different from neighboring areas and later periods could be observed. The territory of the macro-region was divided into a number of smaller regions according to historical and geographical criteria for a more detailed examination(Aegean, Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, and others.). Each of these regions had both its specifics features and common for the whole macro-region ones.To understand the neolitization process on the territory of this macro-region better, it is proposed to distinguish itspreconditions, causes and mechanisms, which could take place in thenuclear (initial) center, where the Neolithic way of life was formed (Near East), and the areas where it was distributed (South Eastern Europe), that is to systematize theoretical developments on the basis of these criteria.