This book explores the potential and challenges of implementing evolutionary phylogenetic methods in archaeological research, by discussing key concepts and presenting concrete applications of these approaches.
The volume is divided into two parts: The first covers the theoretical and conceptual implications of using evolution-based models in the sociocultural domain, illustrates the sorts of questions that these methods can help answer, and invites the reader to reflect on the opportunities and limitations of these perspectives. The second part comprises case studies that address relevant empirical issues, such as inferring patterns and rates of cultural transmission, detecting selective pressures in cultural evolution, and explaining the nature of cultural variation.
This book will appeal to archaeologists interested in applying evolutionary thinking and inferential methods to their field, and to anyone interested in cultural evolution studies.
The volume is divided into two parts: The first covers the theoretical and conceptual implications of using evolution-based models in the sociocultural domain, illustrates the sorts of questions that these methods can help answer, and invites the reader to reflect on the opportunities and limitations of these perspectives. The second part comprises case studies that address relevant empirical issues, such as inferring patterns and rates of cultural transmission, detecting selective pressures in cultural evolution, and explaining the nature of cultural variation.
This book will appeal to archaeologists interested in applying evolutionary thinking and inferential methods to their field, and to anyone interested in cultural evolution studies.
"Larissa Mendoza Straffon's volume is a timely and welcome addition to the Interdisciplinary Evolution Research series ... . This state of affairs makes Mendoza Straffon's volume path-breaking and of great value in calling attention to and then applying phylogenetic methods in a variety of settings in archeology. ... a volume that others can use to inspire their own phylogenetic investigations in archeology." (Mark Pagel, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 92 (4), December, 2017)
"Cultural Phylogenetics: Concepts and Applications in Archaeology ... assembles seven articles dealing both theoretically and practically with the prospects and challenges of phylogenetic methods in archaeology. ... I consider the book to be an interesting contribution, worth being read by everyone who is interested in quantitative methods applied to historical sciences." (Johann-Mattis List, Systematic Biology, September, 2016)
"Cultural Phylogenetics: Concepts and Applications in Archaeology ... assembles seven articles dealing both theoretically and practically with the prospects and challenges of phylogenetic methods in archaeology. ... I consider the book to be an interesting contribution, worth being read by everyone who is interested in quantitative methods applied to historical sciences." (Johann-Mattis List, Systematic Biology, September, 2016)