Modelling Yamna distribution in the west area: towards an economic reasoning

The landscape of Yamna (Yamnaya) studies has undergone a change lately. Nobody would be able to deny the fact of Yamna migration in the Balkans and Carpathian Basin. However, the drivers of this major population movement (or rather movements) need to be clarified. The interpretation is usually built from the possible crucial advantages that the Yamna way of life could propose: horseback riding, wheeled wagons, advanced metalworking, etc. Another variant is based on the drastic climatic deterioration that would force Yamna groups to seek new lands with a milder climate. We propose to take another perspective and study what could attract Yamna people in the West. This migration was not driven by overcrowding, as there was land to spare. Instead, social factors such as prestige or curiosity were likely an incentive to find new lands. In order to carry out this analysis, we suggest a cartographic approach by parallel mapping of prominent metal ores outcrops and Yamna enclaves