Modelling hominin dispersals with agent-based modelling
The early dispersals of hominins have been a major focus of Palaeolithic research in the last 50 years. In this dissertation I have applied a formal modelling technique, simulation, to a selection of archaeological research topics concerning hominin dispersals in order to test the suitability of this tool for formal theory development and hypothesis testing. Therefore, the aims of this research are twofold. The archaeological aim is to improve our understanding of hominin dispersals in the Pleistocene, whilst the methodological contribution was achieved by employing a relatively unknown and underused (in archaeology) computational tool. An overview of the existing data pertinent to the topic of Pleistocene hominin dispersals demonstrated that the current methodology used for researching hominin dispersals, that is data analysis paired with conceptual modelling, is unlikely to solve many of the existing research questions highlighting the need to assess a wider range of scientific tools in order to progress. To that end, two case studies were developed using a specific simulation technique: agent-based modelling. The first case study was used to evaluate if, and under what conditions, the early âOut of Africaâ
Romanowska, Izabela Anna
Modelling hominin dispersals with agent-based modelling. The early dispersals of hominins have been a major focus of Palaeolithic research in the last 50 years. In this dissertation I have applied a formal modelling technique, simulation, to a selection of archaeological research topics concerning hominin dispersals in order to test the suitability of this tool for formal theory development and hypothesis testing. Therefore, the aims of this research are twofold. The archaeological aim is to improve our understanding of hominin dispersals in the Pleistocene, whilst the methodological contribution was achieved by employing a relatively unknown and underused (in archaeology) computational tool. An overview of the existing data pertinent to the topic of Pleistocene hominin dispersals demonstrated that the current methodology used for researching hominin dispersals, that is data analysis paired with conceptual modelling, is unlikely to solve many of the existing research questions highlighting the need to assess a wider range of scientific tools in order to progress. To that end, two case studies were developed using a specific simulation technique: agent-based modelling. The first case study was used to evaluate if, and under what conditions, the early âOut of Africaâ
modelling hominin dispersal agent_based modelling early dispersal hominins major focus palaeolithic apply formal modelling technique simulation selection archaeological topic concern hominin dispersal order_test suitability tool formal theory development hypothesis testing therefore_aim twofold archaeological aim_improve hominin dispersal pleistocene whilst methodological achieve employ relatively unknown archaeology computational tool overview exist data pertinent topic pleistocene hominin dispersal demonstrate current used hominin dispersal data_analysis pair conceptual modelling unlikely solve many exist question highlight_need ass wider_range scientific tool order progress end two_case study develop use specific simulation technique agent_based modelling first case_study use evaluate condition early africa