Abstract

In this paper the authors argue that the renewed interest in cultural evolution in archaeology may have a fundamental effect on the taxonomies employed and the role of archaeology as a discipline.

Highlights

  • We decided to write this paper after receiving an invitation from the editors of Current Stt7edish Archaeology, who expressed a wish to include debates on contemporary issues in archaeological theory

  • Evolutionary approaches in archaeology, which consciously apply powerful statistical methods such as cladistics to describe change in material culture through time and space, stand a chance of contributing important information on contacts between cultures and areas where no significant gene flow can be discerned with genetic methods

  • While interesting genetic studies on the distribution of domestic animals, beginning with the dog in the late Pleistocene-early Holocene (Savolainen et al zoom, Malmström et al zoo8), seem to indicate farreaching networks of a surprisingly early age between peoples without close biological contacts, such research would be greatly improved by similar studies of traditions of material culture

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Summary

Jan Apel R Kim Darmark

In this paper the authors argue that the renewed interest in cultural evolution in archaeology may have a fundamental effect on the taxonomies employed and the role of archaeology as a discipline. Key tvordst cultural evoluti on, material culture, archaeo!ogica! theory, selection, cultural transmtssion, taxonom

INTRODUCTION
Evolution and material culture
MODERN EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND MATERIAL CULTURE STUDIES
VARIATION AND CULTURAL TRANSMISSION
SELECTION AND ADAPTATION
The Levant
CONCLUSION

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