Fish, game, and the foundations of complexity in forager society: the evidence from new guinea

Cross-Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 40 • Published In • Pages: 29-46 •
By Roscoe, Paul

Abstract

Focusing on cultures of New Guinea, this article tests the relationship between subsistence type and various indicators of cultural complexity: population density, settlement size, and residential permanency. Subsistence type is examined through dependence on aquatic resources--specifically, the consumption of aquatic fauna. Relevance of social and political history of the region is also examined.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
OtherResearchers OwnEthnographic cases were all from New Guinea.

Hypotheses (1)

HypothesisSupported
The proportion of dietary fauna that is from aquatic sources is positively associated with population density, settlement size, and residential permanency (p. 29).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Amelia Piazza