Evolutionary archaeology is a theoretical approach in archaeology that applies principles from evolutionary theory, particularly Darwinian evolution, to understand cultural change over time. It views human behaviors, artifacts, and cultural traditions as part of an adaptive system that evolves through mechanisms such as natural selection, variation, and inheritance.
Key concepts in evolutionary archaeology include:
- Cultural Transmission: How cultural traits (like tool-making techniques or architectural styles) are passed from one generation to another.
- Selection and Adaptation: How certain cultural traits persist or disappear based on their usefulness or adaptability to environmental and social conditions.
- Phylogenetics: The study of how artifacts and cultural traditions evolve in ways similar to biological lineages.
- Replication and Variation: The idea that artifacts and practices change through copying errors, innovations, or intentional modifications.
Evolutionary archaeology differs from traditional archaeology by focusing less on historical particularism (unique historical events) and more on general principles that explain cultural evolution. It often integrates methods from population genetics and behavioral ecology to analyze archaeological data.