Session: #215

Theme & Session Format

Theme:
1. Networks, networking, communication: archaeology of interactions
Session format:
Regular session

Title & Content

Title:
Networks of Interaction and Communication: Patterns of Emerging Complexity
Content:
Providing a new explanatory framework for numerous ‘old’ archaeological issues, complex systems and complex dynamic behavior became increasingly prominent topics in current archaeological discourse. While depending on initial conditions, scale-free properties of a number of complex systems demonstrate that for an understanding of the development of human organization and culture it is necessary to refocus from ‘challenge – respond’ patterns to the systems’ internal driven forces. Therefore, behavior of complex dynamic systems, which by definition exceeds the sum of the behavior of their integral parts, may be approached through the analysis of communication/interaction networks. For doing so, it is not only necessary to develop sound and innovative methodologies, but also to reflect and integrate various practical application-driven research perspectives with reflective and innovative theoretical thought. We believe complexity, complex systems and complex dynamic behavior to offer excellent grounds for new and integrative prospects in archaeological research.
In this session we aim to explore various theoretical and methodological approaches to complexity in archaeology from prehistory to more recent times. The session especially aims to discuss the complex networks and interaction/communication paths to evolving complexity. We encourage contributions to the following issues:

• Behavioral patterns produced by interaction/communication networks;
• Description and modeling of complex dynamic behavior;
• Distinction between external and internal driven forces in systems behavior;
• Approaching cycles in development of complex systems;
• Theoretical contribution of complexity to archaeological method and theory.

Papers dealing with related, but not listed issues, are highly welcome as well.
Keywords:
complex systems, complex dynamic behavior, networks, interaction/communication
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:

Organisers

Main organiser:
Jan-Eric Schlicht (Germany) 1
Co-organisers:
Aleksandr Diachenko (Ukraine) 2
Affiliations:
1. Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Kiel University
2. National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute of Archaeology (Kiev, Ukraine)