Evidence
Theoretical work by Luca Cavalli-Sforza showed that, if admixture between expanding farmers and previously resident groups of hunters and gatherers is not immediate, the process would result in the establishment of broad genetic gradients. Because broad gradients spanning much of Europe in the Southeast-Northwest direction were identified in empirical genetic studies by Cavalli-Sforza, Robert R. Sokal, Guido Barbujani, Lounès Chikhi and others, it seemed likely that the spread of agriculture into Europe occurred by the expansion and spread of agriculturists, possibly originating in the Fertile crescent of the Near East region. This is referred to as the Neolithic demic diffusion model.
Craniometric and archaeological studies have also arrived at the same conclusion.
Read more about this topic: Demic Diffusion
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