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Related Experiment Video

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Inferences from absences.

Kim Sterelny1

  • 1School of Philosophy, Research School of the Social Sciences, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australia Kim.Sterelny@anu.edu.au.

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|January 14, 2025
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Summary

Absence of evidence in archaeology may not mean absence of symbolic behavior. This study uses behavioral ecology to explore when a lack of material symbols indicates a lack of their use.

Area of Science:

  • Archaeological Theory
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Symbolic Anthropology

Background:

  • The archaeological record may not preserve all cultural practices, particularly those involving non-material or ephemeral symbols.
  • Stibbard-Hawkes highlights the challenge of interpreting the absence of material evidence for symbolic behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the question: When is the absence of archaeological evidence indicative of the absence of symbolic practice?
  • To apply principles of behavioral ecology to the interpretation of symbolic behavior in the past.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizes a theoretical framework from behavioral ecology.
  • Analyzes the conditions under which symbolic practices are likely to leave material traces.
  • Compares the potential for preservation of different types of material symbols.

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Main Results:

  • Suggests that the absence of material symbols does not automatically equate to the absence of symbolic behavior.
  • Identifies factors influencing the materialization and preservation of symbolic practices.
  • Provides a framework for more nuanced interpretations of negative evidence in archaeology.

Conclusions:

  • The interpretation of absence of evidence requires careful consideration of behavioral and ecological factors.
  • Behavioral ecology offers valuable insights into reconstructing past symbolic systems from incomplete data.
  • Challenges simplistic assumptions about the direct relationship between symbolic behavior and material remains.