TY - JOUR
T1 - Population size does not explain past changes in cultural complexity
AU - Vaesen, K.
AU - Collard, M.
AU - Cosgrove, R.
AU - Roebroeks, W.
PY - 2016/4/4
Y1 - 2016/4/4
N2 - Archaeologists have long tried to understand why cultural complexity often changed in prehistory. Recently, a series of highly influential formal models have suggested that demography is the key factor. According to these models, the size of a population determines its ability to invent and maintain cultural traits. In this paper, we demonstrate that the models in question are flawed in two important respects: They use questionable assumptions, and their predictions are not supported by the available archaeological and ethnographic evidence. As a consequence, little confidence can be invested in the idea that demography explains the changes in cultural complexity that have been identified by archaeologists. An alternative explanation is required.
AB - Archaeologists have long tried to understand why cultural complexity often changed in prehistory. Recently, a series of highly influential formal models have suggested that demography is the key factor. According to these models, the size of a population determines its ability to invent and maintain cultural traits. In this paper, we demonstrate that the models in question are flawed in two important respects: They use questionable assumptions, and their predictions are not supported by the available archaeological and ethnographic evidence. As a consequence, little confidence can be invested in the idea that demography explains the changes in cultural complexity that have been identified by archaeologists. An alternative explanation is required.
U2 - 10.1073/pnas.1520288113
DO - 10.1073/pnas.1520288113
M3 - Article
C2 - 27044082
VL - 113
SP - E2241-E2247
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
SN - 0027-8424
IS - 16
ER -