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Related Experiment Videos

Patterned variation in prehistoric chiefdoms.

Robert D Drennan1, Christian E Peterson

  • 1Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. drennan@pitt.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 14, 2006
PubMed
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This study examines variation in early complex societies, or chiefdoms, across Mexico, Colombia, and China. Analyzing archaeological data reveals general principles governing the emergence of chiefly communities.

Area of Science:

  • Archaeological studies of comparative human societies.
  • Cultural evolution and societal development.

Background:

  • Early complex societies, known as chiefdoms, are often studied for similarities, overlooking internal variations.
  • Examining variation within chiefdoms offers insights into fundamental principles of societal organization and change.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically analyze variation in the development of early chiefdoms.
  • To compare distinct trajectories of chiefdom emergence across different geographical regions.
  • To identify general principles underlying societal change in early complex societies.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of archaeological data from three distinct regions: Valley of Oaxaca (Mexico), Alto Magdalena (Colombia), and Northeast China.
  • Utilizing consistent analytical tools to examine human activities, relationships, and interactions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Focusing on changes during the emergence of chiefly communities.

    • Main Results:

    • Revealed significant variation in human activities and social structures during chiefdom development across the studied regions.
    • Identified distinct patterns of change in the emergence of chiefly communities.
    • Demonstrated that variation, not just similarity, highlights fundamental organizational principles.

    Conclusions:

    • The systematic examination of variation within early chiefdoms provides a productive approach to understanding societal organization and change.
    • Identified patterns in variation suggest underlying general principles governing chiefdom development.
    • These findings propose hypotheses for further investigation in a broader comparative study of chiefdoms.