Evolution of bow-arrow technology
This thesis examines the development of bow-arrow technology in terms of modem evolutionary theory. Previous approaches that propose functional-adaptive technological trajectories are critiqued. Different theoretical approaches towards technology and associated units of analysis are examined. Behavioural ecology, evolutionary archaeology, and dual inheritance theory are shown to hold most promise for explaining trait-lineages in a given technological tradition. Previous approaches to bow-arrow technology are analysed, and an evolutionary archaeological methodology appropriate for examining lithic armatures is presented. Environment, historical contingency, selection, drift, population dynamics and social learning mechanisms are seen as key complex factors requiring case by case examination. An evolutionary case study with nine temporally, geographically, and culturally related stratigraphic phases containing a total of 3600 complete lithic armatures from the south Scandinavian middle Mesolithic (c. 6600-5400 BC) is presented. The phases are described in terms of associated fine-grained archaeological data and previous interpretations. A Bayesian chronological framework is constructed for the case study, using
Edinborough, Kevan Stephen Anthony
Evolution of bow-arrow technology. This thesis examines the development of bow-arrow technology in terms of modem evolutionary theory. Previous approaches that propose functional-adaptive technological trajectories are critiqued. Different theoretical approaches towards technology and associated units of analysis are examined. Behavioural ecology, evolutionary archaeology, and dual inheritance theory are shown to hold most promise for explaining trait-lineages in a given technological tradition. Previous approaches to bow-arrow technology are analysed, and an evolutionary archaeological methodology appropriate for examining lithic armatures is presented. Environment, historical contingency, selection, drift, population dynamics and social learning mechanisms are seen as key complex factors requiring case by case examination. An evolutionary case study with nine temporally, geographically, and culturally related stratigraphic phases containing a total of 3600 complete lithic armatures from the south Scandinavian middle Mesolithic (c. 6600-5400 BC) is presented. The phases are described in terms of associated fine-grained archaeological data and previous interpretations. A Bayesian chronological framework is constructed for the case study, using
evolution bow arrow technology examines_development bow arrow technology term modem evolutionary_theory previous_approach propose functional adaptive technological trajectory critique different theoretical_approach towards technology associate unit analysis examine behavioural ecology evolutionary archaeology dual inheritance theory show hold promise explain trait give technological tradition previous_approach bow arrow technology analyse evolutionary archaeological appropriate examine lithic present environment historical contingency selection drift population_dynamic social learn mechanism see key complex factor require case case examination evolutionary case_study temporally geographically culturally related stratigraphic phase contain total complete lithic south scandinavian middle mesolithic present phase describe_term associate fine_grained archaeological_data previous_interpretation bayesian chronological_framework construct case_study use