Childe's most significant contributions to archaeology include his concept of the "Neolithic Revolution," his work on the social evolution of early human societies, and his development of a Marxist archaeology.
The Neolithic Revolution
Childe's concept of the Neolithic Revolution was first introduced in his book "Man Makes Himself" (1936). In this work, Childe argued that the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and sedentism was a revolutionary change in human history. He believed that this transition led to a number of profound social and cultural changes, including the emergence of social stratification, the development of writing and other technologies, and the growth of cities.
Social Evolution
Childe was also interested in the social evolution of early human societies. He argued that human societies developed through a series of stages, from small, egalitarian bands to large, complex civilizations. He believed that each stage of social evolution was characterized by a specific set of economic, social, and political institutions.
Marxist Archaeology
Childe was a self-described Marxist, and he incorporated Marxist principles into his archaeological work. He believed that archaeology could be used to study the material conditions of past societies, and that these material conditions could be used to understand the social and political structures of those societies. Childe's Marxist archaeology was controversial, but it also helped to open up new avenues of research in archaeology.
Legacy
V. Gordon Childe was a major figure in the development of modern archaeology. His work on the Neolithic Revolution, social evolution, and Marxist archaeology has had a profound influence on the discipline, and he is still considered one of the most important archaeologists of the 20th century.