Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 28, 2025

Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
Demographic uniformitarianism: the theoretical basis of prehistoric demographic research and its cross-disciplinary
Jennifer C French1, Andrew T Chamberlain2
1Department of Archaeology, Classics, and Egyptology, University of Liverpool, 12-14 Abercromby Square, L69 7WZ, UK.
Abstract:
A principle of demographic uniformitarianism underpins all research into prehistoric demography (palaeodemography). This principle-which argues for continuity in the evolved mechanisms underlying modern human demographic processes and their response to environmental stimuli between past and present-provides the cross-disciplinary basis for palaeodemographic reconstruction and analysis. Prompted by the recent growth and interest in the field of prehistoric demography, this paper reviews the principle of demographic uniformitarianism, evaluates how it relates to two key debates in palaeodemographic research and seeks to delimit its range of applicability to past human and hominin populations. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cross-disciplinary approaches to prehistoric demography'.
Related Concept Videos
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Population Growth
What is Population Genetics?
Conservation of Declining Populations
Applications of Life Tables
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

