ArchMatNet: An Agent-Based Model to Investigate the Validity of Social Networks in Archaeology

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Archaeological network studies use characterizations of many kinds and aspects of material culture (e.g., sourcing, style, technology) as proxies for social relations. Yet, it is often unclear what types of interactions are indicated by material culture. Social network analysis is a useful tool because it provides a set of methods and theoretical expectations linking network structures and positions to different kinds of outcomes for actors within a network. However, it is difficult to document direct social relationships in archaeology, and thus it is a substantial challenge to validate many network interpretations. This study uses the ArchMatNet agent-based model to demonstrate how material culture networks can relate to social networks. The model generates interactions (e.g., visiting and learning) between agents at multiple social scales, and where objects are created, traded, and discarded. The results demonstrate a positive relationship between material culture networks and social interaction networks, provided certain conditions are met.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37304.0