Agricultural expansion and settlement economy in Tell Halula (Mid-Euphrates valley): A diachronic study from early Neolithic to present

► We use ethnoarchaeology to study agricultural intensification in a region of NE Syria. ► We compare economy and demography in Neolithic and modern populations. ► We found an extensification trend in the past, leading to lower crop and weed diversity. ► We also found a decline in population, once the capacity of the system was exceeded. ► Trends in present populations in the area were similar to those in ancient times.