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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until April 24, 2026

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ARTIFACT EVOLUTION: DOES SIZE MATTER IN REDUCTIVE MANUFACTURING?

Smith, Andrew j
http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9220-6096
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1682075377801423

Abstract Details

2023, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Anthropology.
Understanding the microevolutionary processes that drive variation in material culture is a critical component of comprehending cultural evolution. This study investigated the impact of material resolution on error rates in reductive manufacturing by employing an experimental approach. Participants (N=30) were tasked with replicating three-dimensional models using either Lego or Duplo bricks, representing high and low-resolution materials, respectively. We hypothesized that the resolution of building material would significantly affect the error rates, with different resolutions introducing varying amounts of variation. To evaluate errors, we employed XY and XYZ error calculation systems to assess surface area and volume discrepancies, respectively. Contrary to our hypothesis, statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in error rates between the two groups. While our study enhances the understanding of factors influencing cultural microevolution, it also opens new avenues for exploring other variables, such as learning mechanisms and environmental conditions, that contribute to variation in material culture. This research represents an important step forward in elucidating the intricacies of cultural evolution and its underlying mechanisms.
Metin Eren (Advisor)
Aldo Cimino (Committee Member)
Anthony Tosi (Committee Member)
Michelle Bebber (Committee Member)
40 p.
Archaeology
Cultural evolution, culture, evolution, darwinian evolution, microevolution, macroevolution

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Smith, A. J. (2023). ARTIFACT EVOLUTION: DOES SIZE MATTER IN REDUCTIVE MANUFACTURING? [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1682075377801423

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Smith, Andrew. ARTIFACT EVOLUTION: DOES SIZE MATTER IN REDUCTIVE MANUFACTURING? 2023. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1682075377801423.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Smith, Andrew. "ARTIFACT EVOLUTION: DOES SIZE MATTER IN REDUCTIVE MANUFACTURING?" Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1682075377801423

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1682075377801423
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.