Jonathan Edelstein said:So there are two places to look for PODs. First, how might Çatalhöyük have developed the leadership to get them through environmental changes - religion seems the most obvious way, bu were there others? Second, would it be possible for a Neolithic society to organize collective action without social stratification? Is there a way, other than through kings or ensis, to govern a Stone Age community of this size?
Such a discussion will always be political but anarchy could be a way to go, with a representative elected by the people with a clear mandate as opposed to a divine king.