Comparative phylogenetic analyses uncover the ancient roots of Indo-European folktales

Royal Society open science • Vol/Iss. 3(1) • The Royal Society • • Published In • Pages: 1-11 •
By Da Silva, Sara Graça, Tehrani, Jamshid J.

Abstract

The authors compare language phylogenies and spatial distributions with folktale frequencies of Indo-European peoples in order to reconstruct their cultural transmission. A stronger association is found between folktale frequency and language phylogeny than has been proposed in earlier literature studies, indicating that vertical transmission is more influential on folktale distribution than horizontal transmission through spatial proximity. Finally, the frequencies of certain folktales appear to trace the ancestral divergences of Indo-European languages to a much deeper level than previously though, suggesting that folktales are representative of broader features of culture, rather than recent literary inventions.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Aarne Thompson Uther (ATU) IndexResearcher's ownn = 275 'Tales of Magic' from 50 Indo-European-speaking populations

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
There will be a significant effect of vertical transmission through common descent on folktale distribution. (2)Supported
Folktale types will be traceable to ancestral Indo-European populations. (2)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: jack.dunnington  emily.pitek