Technology as Human Social Tradition: 15 Trait-Based Datasets of Hunter-Gatherer Material Culture (Northwest Siberia, Pacific Northwest Coast, Northern California). Data Paper

Abstract

How are particular material culture traditions passed from one generation to the next? This digital archive supports "Technology as Human Social Tradition: Cultural Transmission among Hunter-Gatherers" (Jordan 2015) published by University of California Press. The archive consists of 15 Excel files which were used to conduct in-depth analysis of the factors driving diversity and change in material culture traditions. Each file contains a high-resolution survey of the design features of one material tradition practised by groups living in a geographic region. Three regions are investigated: Northwest Siberia (storage platforms, shrines, skis); Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada (houses, canoes, basketry-matting); Northern California (basketry, houses, ceremonial dress).

Keywords

• hunter-gatherer
• material culture
• diversity
• change
• technology
• archaeology
• anthropology
• storage platforms
• shrines
• skis
• houses
• canoes
• basketry-matting
• basketry
• ceremonial dress
• siberia
• pacific northwest
• canada
• california