Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Doug Jones
Summary: Barbarism can be best understood as a recurring syndrome in peripheral societies in response to more developed neighbors. Research shows that a richer and potentially more powerful player may lose out to a poorer player in terms of wealth allocation and opportunity cost of fighting. In a historical dynamic model, a wealth-power mismatch leads to a long-lasting decline in social complexity until they become more closely aligned.
Article
Biology
Yotam Ben-Oren, Sarah Saxton Strassberg, Erella Hovers, Oren Kolodny, Nicole Creanza
Summary: Human populations vary in the size of their tool repertoires, and a prominent hypothesis suggests that tool repertoire size increases with population size. However, not all empirical studies have found such a correlation, leading to a contentious debate. To resolve this controversy, the authors propose that considering rare cultural migration events can help explain why population size does not always predict cultural repertoire size.
Review
Entomology
Marianna Olivadese, Maria Luisa Dindo
Summary: The relationship between insects and humans is complex and has played important roles in human culture, economy, and health. There is growing interest in using insects as a sustainable source of protein and nutrients. Entomophagy is considered a new opportunity for the food industry and global food security.
Review
Biology
Sarah Saxton Strassberg, Nicole Creanza
Summary: One prominent feature of human culture is the variation in toolkit size and complexity among different populations, which could be influenced by factors such as population mobility, resource use, environmental volatility, and population size. Researchers have used various methods to study these factors and have found diverse results, leading to debates over the primary influences on toolkit size and composition.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Simon Kirby, Monica Tamariz
Summary: This study investigates the emergence of the combinatorial structure of language through an agent-based model and population dynamics. The results suggest that the pressures for simplicity and expressivity during cultural transmission lead to the emergence of combinatoriality. Additionally, population dynamics affect the rate of evolution.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sheina Lew-Levy, Rachel Reckin, Stephen M. Kissler, Ilaria Pretelli, Adam H. Boyette, Alyssa N. Crittenden, Renee Hagen, Randall Haas, Karen L. Kramer, Jeremy Koster, Matthew J. O'Brien, Koji Sonoda, Todd A. Surovell, Jonathan Stieglitz, Bram Tucker, Noa Lavi, Kate Ellis-Davies, Helen E. Davis
Summary: This paper investigates how environmental factors and gender differences are associated with child and adolescent time allocation in hunter-gatherer and mixed-subsistence forager societies. The findings suggest that children and their caregivers adjust their activities to facilitate the early acquisition of knowledge and safely cooperate with adults in different social and ecological environments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patricia Kanngiesser, Marie Schaefer, Esther Herrmann, Henriette Zeidler, Daniel Haun, Michael Tomasello
Summary: Individuals in all societies adhere to their cultural group's conventional norms and actively enforce them, even when others break the rules. However, the style and magnitude of enforcement vary across societies, indicating cultural variability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
R. Lynch, J. Loehr, V Lummaa, T. Honkola, J. Pettay, O. Vesakoski
Summary: The study found that cultural similarity is the best predictor of successful migrations, with social relationships playing a key role. The results also suggest that the primary obstacles to human migration are sociocultural rather than ecological factors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiquan Chen, Hogeun Park, Peilei Fan, Li Tian, Zutao Ouyang, Raffaele Lafortezza
Summary: The study revealed clear differences in the influence of cultural landmarks on the surrounding landscape in cities, highlighting the importance of cultural landmarks in urban planning. Asian cities have roads constructed along the four cardinal directions, while European cities have roads radiating from major cultural landmarks.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kimmo Eriksson, Pontus Strimling, Michele Gelfand, Junhui Wu, Jered Abernathy, Charity S. Akotia, Alisher Aldashev, Per A. Andersson, Giulia Andrighetto, Adote Anum, Gizem Arikan, Zeynep Aycan, Fatemeh Bagherian, Davide Barrera, Dana Basnight-Brown, Birzhan Batkeyev, Anabel Belaus, Elizaveta Berezina, Marie Bjornstjerna, Sheyla Blumen, Pawel Boski, Fouad Bou Zeineddine, Inna Bovina, Bui Thi Thu Huyen, Juan-Camilo Cardenas, Dorde Cekrlija, Hoon-Seok Choi, Carlos C. Contreras-Ibanez, Rui Costa-Lopes, Micheal de Barra, Piyanjali de Zoysa, Angela Dorrough, Nikolay Dvoryanchikov, Anja Eller, Jan B. Engelmann, Hyun Euh, Xia Fang, Susann Fiedler, Olivia A. Foster-Gimbel, Marta Fulop, Ragna B. Gardarsdottir, C. M. Hew D. Gill, Andreas Glockner, Sylvie Graf, Ani Grigoryan, Vladimir Gritskov, Katarzyna Growiec, Peter Halama, Andree Hartanto, Tim Hopthrow, Martina Hrebickova, Dzintra Ilisko, Hirotaka Imada, Hansika Kapoor, Kerry Kawakami, Narine Khachatryan, Natalia Kharchenko, Ninetta Khoury, Toko Kiyonari, Michal Kohut, Le Thuy Linh, Lisa M. Leslie, Yang Li, Norman P. Li, Zhuo Li, Kadi Liik, Angela T. Maitner, Bernardo Manhique, Harry Manley, Imed Medhioub, Sari Mentser, Linda Mohammed, Pegah Nejat, Orlando Nipassa, Ravit Nussinson, Nneoma G. Onyedire, Ike E. Onyishi, Seniha Ozden, Penny Panagiotopoulou, Lorena R. Perez-Floriano, Minna S. Persson, Mpho Pheko, Anna-Maija Pirttila-Backman, Marianna Pogosyan, Jana Raver, Cecilia Reyna, Ricardo Borges Rodrigues, Sara Romano, Pedro P. Romero, Inari Sakki, Alvaro San Martin, Sara Sherbaji, Hiroshi Shimizu, Brent Simpson, Erna Szabo, Kosuke Takemura, Hassan Tieffi, Maria Luisa Mendes Teixeira, Napoj Thanomkul, Habib Tiliouine, Giovanni A. Travaglino, Yannis Tsirbas, Richard Wan, Sita Widodo, Rizqy Zein, Qing-peng Zhang, Lina Zirganou-Kazolea, Paul A. M. Van Lange
Summary: This study surveyed nearly 23,000 students and non-students from 57 countries, finding a universal negative relation between appropriateness ratings of norm violations and responses in the form of confrontation, social ostracism, and gossip. The study also noted country variation in the appropriateness of sanctions for norm violations, with gossip being rated as more appropriate in countries where physical confrontation and social ostracism are less favored.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jennifer E. Smith, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, Maddison M. Mueller, Michael E. Alfaro
Summary: The extent of (in)equality varies greatly among species of social mammals, and the factors that contribute to or inhibit equitable social organizations are poorly understood. In this study, the researchers used a comparative evolutionary perspective to examine the evolution of social dominance hierarchies, a measure of social inequality in animals, and explore the influence of factors such as sex, age, and captivity on interspecific variation in these traits. They found that hierarchy steepness and directional consistency evolve rapidly without being constrained by evolutionary history. The study also identified various mechanisms, including social networks, coalitionary support, knowledge transfer, nutritional access, and prenatal stressors, that have evolved to mitigate social inequality in mammals.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Mathematics
Vladimir Stanovov, Shakhnaz Akhmedova, Eugene Semenkin
Summary: This study proposes a dual-population algorithmic scheme for differential evolution and specific mutation strategy, and achieves competitive results on benchmark sets CEC 2017 and CEC 2022.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
John A. Bunce
Summary: This study shows that individuals with cross-cultural competence can help maintain cultural diversity, as they are able to engage in successful interactions across cultural boundaries.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nadiah P. Kristensen, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Ryan A. Chisholm
Summary: In this study, a mathematical model is used to explore the origin of human cooperation. The findings suggest that cooperation first evolved through kin selection in ancient humans due to genetic homophily, and continued to persist as social homophily decreased or interactions with strangers became common, explaining the coexistence of cooperators and defectors observed in the human population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
B. Thompson, B. van Opheusden, T. Sumers, T. L. Griffiths
Summary: This study found that selective social learning helps preserve rare and exceptional algorithm discoveries in a large-scale cultural evolution experiment. Participants were able to retain complex algorithms when they could choose whom to learn from, but these algorithms frequently became extinct in populations without this selection process, leading to the adoption of lower-performance algorithms.
Article
Anthropology
Metin I. Eren, Michelle R. Bebber, Dan Wilcox, Brett Story, Briggs Buchanan
Summary: This study experimentally assessed the durability of Clovis projectiles, finding differences in damage among different point forms and suggesting a functional trade-off between penetration capability and design.
Article
Archaeology
Angela R. Lewis, Jeremy C. Williams, Briggs Buchanan, Robert S. Walker, Metin Eren, Michelle R. Bebber
Summary: This study examines the difference in stone quality between locally and nonlocally acquired stone tools made from Upper Mercer chert in Ohio. The results show that locally acquired stone tools are of significantly higher quality than nonlocally acquired ones. The study also suggests possible factors that could explain this difference in quality.
GEOARCHAEOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Metin I. . Eren, Michelle R. . Bebber, Edward J. . Knell, Brett Story, Briggs Buchanan
Summary: By analyzing a database of 343 Paleoindian points, this study found significant differences in the penetration effectiveness of these projectile points. The study also concluded that there is no progressive trend in penetration effectiveness from Early to Late Paleoindian times.
JOURNAL OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Anna Mika, Briggs Buchanan, Robert Walker, Alastair Key, Brett Story, Michelle Bebber, Metin Eren
Summary: This study experimentally assessed the use of Clovis knives, revealing differences in cutting efficiency among different knife forms. The results support the hypothesis that selection of functional attributes contributed to diversity and evolution of Clovis point forms.
Article
Archaeology
Metin Eren, Lawrence Mukusha, Julie Lierenz, Michael Wilson, Michelle R. Bebber, Michael Fisch, Trent True, Michael Kavaulic, Robert S. Walker, Briggs Buchanan, Alastair Key
Summary: Experimental archaeology is progressing by using modern materials as substitutes for traditional ones in archaeological experiments, which can improve efficiency and cost effectiveness. Aluminum has been successfully utilized as a substitute for chert in research, showing no significant differences in ballistics experiments between aluminum and stone points.
NORTH AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGIST
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Nicholas Gala, Anna Mika, Michael Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Briggs Buchanan, Robert S. Walker, Michelle R. Bebber, Metin I. Eren
Summary: This article explores the relationship between stone raw material and stone tip durability and robusticity through controlled experiments comparing chert and obsidian. The study finds that obsidian stone tips require less force to break but are less durable and robust compared to chert stone tips.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michelle R. Bebber, Briggs Buchanan, Jacob Holland-Lulewicz
Summary: This study uses Bayesian modeling to analyze 76 radiocarbon dates directly associated with copper use in North America. The results identify two distinct peaks in copper usage around 5500 cal BP and 3300 cal BP. By revising the age ranges and using modern calibration curves, the study provides insight into the historical relationships and cultural interactions among early copper using groups in the western Great Lakes region.
Article
Archaeology
Briggs Buchanan, Robert S. Walker, Marcus J. Hamilton, Brett Story, Michelle Bebber, Dan Wilcox, Metin I. Eren
Summary: This paper investigates the factors influencing the robustness of stone lanceolate projectile points, finding that shorter, wider, and thicker blade forms are more robust and have a higher likelihood of damaging the haft. It suggests that a trade-off between point and haft robustness was likely an important consideration for prehistoric flintknappers when designing their weapons.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Briggs Buchanan, J. David Kilby, Jason M. LaBelle, Todd A. Surovell, Jacob Holland-Lulewicz, Marcus J. Hamilton
Summary: This study used radiocarbon dating and Bayesian statistics to determine the temporal boundaries of the Clovis and Folsom Paleoindian complexes in the West. It found that Folsom appeared about 200 years before Clovis disappeared, suggesting that Folsom was an adaptive innovation that spread within the Clovis population and became dominant.
AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Metin I. Eren, David J. Meltzer, Brett Story, Briggs Buchanan, Don Yeager, Michelle R. Bebber
Summary: This article examines the efficacy of Clovis fluted points for hunting proboscideans and challenges the conventional belief that they are highly effective weapons for inflicting lethal wounds. The study finds that the penetrating ability of these stone points has limitations, undermining their ballistic effectiveness. The authors argue that Clovis points are multifunctional tools rather than specialized implements exclusively designed for hunting proboscideans.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Justin Pargeter, Caleb Chen, Briggs Buchanan, Michael Fisch, Michelle Bebber, Metin I. Eren
Summary: The use of backed stone tools in human history is significant, but the potential advantages or disadvantages of these tools compared to non-backed tools has not been extensively explored experimentally. The research findings suggest that backing does not improve adhesion but instead worsens it, and backed tools seem to increase the chances of shaft splitting.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Matthew T. Boulanger, Briggs Buchanan, G. Logan Miller, Brian G. Redmond, Bob Christy, Brandi L. MacDonald, David Mielke, Ryun Mielke, Connie Mielke, Tate Maurer, Bruce Meyer, Monty Meyer, Brian Trego, Andy Wilson, Pete Cartwright, Leo Ott, Michelle R. Bebber, David J. Meltzer, Metin Eren
Summary: The Mielke site in western Ohio is a significant multicomponent locality, with a prominent Clovis component. Through excavation, sourcing analysis, technological descriptions, morphometrics, microwear, and GIS analysis, we gained insights into the Clovis artifacts and inferred the movement of Late Pleistocene inhabitants across the midcontinent of North America, taking into account the site's location and the presence of later components.
MIDCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Damon Mullen, Timothy Matney, Alex Morrison, Michael Fisch, Briggs Buchanan, Michelle R. Bebber
Summary: Archaeological evidence shows that Neo-Assyrian soldiers used multiple arrowhead styles, including bilobate and trilobate arrowheads. This study focuses on the factors promoting the invention and perseverance of trilobate arrowheads and raises questions about the economic implications of using more complex arrowhead forms.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Matthew Boulanger, Robert J. Patten, Brian N. Andrews, Michelle R. Bebber, Briggs Buchanan, Ian Jorgeson, G. Logan Miller, Metin Eren, David J. Meltzer
Summary: The Antelope Springs Folsom locality is situated near Trout Creek Pass, connecting South Park and the headwaters of the Arkansas River. The assemblage focused on reduction and replacement of stone tool kit, suggesting regular travel between Middle Park and San Luis Valley.
Article
Anthropology
Briggs Buchanan, J. David Kilby, Marcus J. Hamilton, Jason M. LaBelle, Kelton A. Meyer, Jacob Holland-Lulewicz, Brian Andrews, Brooke M. Morgan, Brendon Asher, Vance T. Holliday, Gregory W. L. Hodgins, Todd A. Surovell
Summary: The study reports new AMS radiocarbon dates for the early Paleoindian archaeological tradition Folsom in North American West, with estimated duration spanning 355-510 years between approximately 12,845-12,770 years ago to 12,400-12,255 years ago. The adoption and abandonment of Folsom technology were found to have occurred over relatively short periods, less than 100 years and likely less than 50 years.