A cross-cultural method for predicting nonmaterial traits in archeology

Behavior Science Notes • Vol/Iss. 5 • Published In • Pages: 195-212 •
By McNett, Charles W., Jr.

Hypothesis

"Community pattern (archaeologically defined) . . . can help predict [these] sociocultural traits: communal or private real estate, shared or hoarded goods, property at death destroyed or inherited, craftsmen, extent of trade, taxes, coercive power, kin-based community or larger, law, political hierarchy, army, religion or magic, ethical supernatural, complex supernatural, spirits or gods, shamans or priests, religious hierarchy, individual or common ritual, group ceremony frequency, simple or elaborate funerals" (197-200)

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Goodman and Kruskal’s lambda-aSupportedp<.001.54UNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
ArmyDependentMilitary Organization
Coercive PowerDependentGovernment Activities
Communal Or Private Real EstateDependentReal Property
Community PatternIndependentCommunity Structure
CraftsmenDependentOccupational Specialization
Ethical SupernaturalDependentReligious Beliefs
Extent Of TradeDependentInternal Trade, External Trade
Frequency Of Group CeremonyDependentOrganized Ceremonial
Individual Or Common RitualDependentRitual
Kin-based Or Larger CommunityDependentCommunity Structure
LawDependentLaw
Magic Or ReligionDependentReligious Beliefs
Political HierarchyDependentTerritorial Hierarchy
Property At Death Destroyed Or InheritedDependentInheritance
Religious HierarchyDependentEcclesiastical Organization
Shamans Or PriestsDependentShamans And Psychotherapists, Prophets And Ascetics, Priesthood
Shared GoodsDependentGift Giving, Mutual Aid
Simple Or Elaborate FuneralsDependentBurial Practices And Funerals
Spirits Or GodsDependentSpirits And Gods
TaxesDependentTaxation And Public Income
Vague Or Complex SupernaturalDependentReligious Beliefs