Cultural transmission in the post-contact Plateau region and beyond: Insights from funerary practices, fishing practices, clothing, and languages

Abstract

The issue of cultural transmission has recently seen intensified interest across a broad geographical and temporal range of archaeological case studies. However, we must constantly assess our understanding of how cultural transmission and related issues (e.g., cultural selection) affect and effect material patterns, if the body of theory underpinning these types of studies is to continue to grow. The post-contact Plateau region of western North America has long been characterized as a region of relatively high cultural uniformity, facilitated by multiple means of intergroup contact. However, ironically, the region and its Historic-period communities have recently seen little work specifically targeted at these issues. Here, three cultural datasets—fishing practices, clothing styles, and funerary behaviors—were statistically examined for evidence of their relative extent of cross-community transmission. On theoretical grounds, relating to contrasts in function and the contextual and physical visibility of these practices, it was contended that differences may emerge in the extent of intergroup transmission. Specifically, it was predicted that funerary behaviors may have experienced less intergroup transmission compared to fishing practices and clothing patterns. The analyses consistently support these theoretical predictions, highlighting their validity as ways to conceive of similar likelihoods in the case of cultural transmission issues affecting archaeological data.