Exploración y modelización de patrones socioecológicos y tecnoculturales en sociedades preindustriales de zonas áridas afro-eurasiáticas. Una aproximación multidisciplinar desde métodos cuantitativos

[spa] Esta tesis doctoral trata la exploración y modelización formal de patrones socioecológicos y tecnoculturales, así como de algunos de los hipotéticos mecanismos que los explicarían. Los patrones se postulan sobre dos tipos de evidencia arqueológica: las producciones de recipientes cerámicos y el uso agropastoral del territorio. Los mecanismos tratados se incluyen en los temas generales de transmisión y evolución culturales, intercambio, competencia y cooperación. La tesis es el resultado de la combinación del perfil generalista e interdisciplinar del doctorando y las oportunidades brindadas por su participación en tres proyectos de investigación (SimulPast, 2011-2017; CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016; y CERAC, 2017-2020). A pesar de obtener su inspiración en la trayectoria documentada de la ocupación humana de la cuenca del Surkhan Daria, Uzbekistán, se recogen las evidencias dentro del amplio contexto geográfico de la Afro-Eurasia árida. Asimismo, se referencian datos de múltiples períodos, desde la Edad del Bronce hasta la actualidad, con especial énfasis entre 500 a. C. y 500 d. C. El corpus de la tesis se divide en dos líneas metodológicas, análisis de datos arqueométricos de cerámicas y simulación de sistemas socioecológicos, ambas enmarcadas en la intersección de la arqueología cuantitativa con la arqueología digital. Concretamente, se aborda: las diferencias entre individuos cerámicos, en términos de datos arqueométricos, para la detección de relaciones de intercambio y cambio cultural, utilizando métodos de estadística multivariante; la emergencia y estabilidad de fronteras entre el pastoreo nómada y seminómada y la agricultura sedentaria, utilizando de la modelización basada en agentes; y las condiciones para la cooperación en el almacenamiento de alimentos en sociedades de pequeña escala, utilizando también la modelización basada en agentes. Esta tesis contiene texto en tres idiomas: castellano, inglés y catalán. Mientras los dos capítulos introductorios y las conclusiones fueron redactados en castellano, los artículos que componen el corpus principal se encuentran en su versión original en inglés. Todos los capítulos abren con un resumen en las tres lenguas y todos los artículos tienen su resumen traducido al castellano y catalán. Excepcionalmente, el capítulo de las conclusiones se ofrece en los tres idiomas.[cat] Aquesta tesi doctoral tracta l'exploració i modelització formal de patrons socioecològics i tecnoculturals, així com d'alguns dels hipotètics mecanismes que els explicarien. Els patrons es postulen sobre dos tipus d'evidència arqueològica: les produccions de recipients ceràmics i l'ús agropastoral del territori. Els mecanismes tractats s'inclouen en els temes generals de transmissió i evolució culturals, intercanvi, competència i cooperació. La tesi és el resultat de la combinació del perfil generalista i interdisciplinari del doctorand i les oportunitats brindades per la seva participació en tres projectes de recerca (SimulPast, 2011-2017; CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016, i CERAC, 2017-2020). Tot i obtenir la seva inspiració en la trajectòria documentada de l'ocupació humana de la conca del Surkhan Daria, Uzbekistan, es recullen les evidències dins de l'ampli context geogràfic de la Afro-Euràsia àrida. Així mateix, es referencien dades de múltiples períodes, des de l'Edat del Bronze fins a l'actualitat, amb especial èmfasi entre 500 a. C. i 500 d. C. El corpus de la tesi es divideix en dues línies metodològiques, anàlisi de dades arqueomètriques de ceràmiques i simulació de sistemes socioecològics, ambdues emmarcades en la intersecció de la arqueologia quantitativa amb la arqueologia digital. Concretament, s'aborda: les diferències entre individus ceràmics, en termes de dades arqueomètriques, per a la detecció de relacions d'intercanvi i canvi cultural, utilitzant mètodes d'estadística multivariant; l'emergència i estabilitat de fronteres entre el pasturatge nòmada i seminòmada i l'agricultura sedentària, utilitzant de la modelització basada en agents; i les condicions per a la cooperació per a l'emmagatzematge d'aliments en societats de petita escala, utilitzant també la modelització basada en agents. Aquesta tesi conté text en tres idiomes: castellà, anglès i català. Mentre els dos capítols introductoris i les conclusions han estat redactats en castellà, els articles que composen el corpus principal es troben en la seva versió original en anglès. Tots els capítols s'obren amb un resum en les tres llengües i tots els articles tenen el seu resum traduït al castellà i català. Excepcionalment, el capítol de les conclusions s'ofereix en els tres idiomes.[eng] This doctoral thesis addresses the exploration and formal modelling of socio-ecological and techno-cultural patterns, as well as some of the hypothetical mechanisms that would explain them. The patterns are posited on two types of archaeological evidence: the productions of ceramic containers and the agropastoral use of the territory. The mechanisms dealt with are included in the general themes of cultural transmission and evolution, exchange, competition and cooperation. The thesis is the result of the combination of the generalist and interdisciplinary profile of the doctoral student and the opportunities offered by his participation in three research projects (SimulPast, 2011-2017, CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016, and CERAC, 2017-2020). In spite of obtaining its inspiration in the documented trajectory of the human occupation of the Surkhan Daria basin, Uzbekistan, the evidence is collected within the wide geographical context of the arid Afro-Eurasia. Likewise, data for multiple periods are referenced, from the Bronze Age to the present, with special emphasis between 500 BC and 500 AD. The corpus of the thesis is divided into two methodological lines, analysis of archaeometric data of ceramics and simulation of socio-ecological systems, both framed at the intersection of quantitative archaeology with digital archaeology. Specifically, it addresses: the differences between ceramic individuals, in terms of archaeometric data, for the detection of relationships of exchange and cultural change, using multivariate statistical methods; the emergence and stability of borders between nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralism and sedentary agriculture, using agent-based modelling; and the conditions for cooperation for the storage of food in small-scale societies, also using agent-based modelling. This thesis contains text in three languages: Spanish, English, and Catalan. While the two introductory chapters and the conclusions were written in Spanish, the articles that make up the main corpus are in their original English version. All the chapters open with a summary in the three languages and all the articles have their summary translated into Spanish and Catalan. Exceptionally, the chapter on conclusions is offered in all three languages

Exploración y modelización de patrones socioecológicos y tecnoculturales en sociedades preindustriales de zonas áridas afro-eurasiáticas. Una aproximación multidisciplinar desde métodos cuantitativos

[spa] Esta tesis doctoral trata la exploración y modelización formal de patrones socioecológicos y tecnoculturales, así como de algunos de los hipotéticos mecanismos que los explicarían. Los patrones se postulan sobre dos tipos de evidencia arqueológica: las producciones de recipientes cerámicos y el uso agropastoral del territorio. Los mecanismos tratados se incluyen en los temas generales de transmisión y evolución culturales, intercambio, competencia y cooperación. La tesis es el resultado de la combinación del perfil generalista e interdisciplinar del doctorando y las oportunidades brindadas por su participación en tres proyectos de investigación (SimulPast, 2011-2017; CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016; y CERAC, 2017-2020). A pesar de obtener su inspiración en la trayectoria documentada de la ocupación humana de la cuenca del Surkhan Daria, Uzbekistán, se recogen las evidencias dentro del amplio contexto geográfico de la Afro-Eurasia árida. Asimismo, se referencian datos de múltiples períodos, desde la Edad del Bronce hasta la actualidad, con especial énfasis entre 500 a. C. y 500 d. C. El corpus de la tesis se divide en dos líneas metodológicas, análisis de datos arqueométricos de cerámicas y simulación de sistemas socioecológicos, ambas enmarcadas en la intersección de la arqueología cuantitativa con la arqueología digital. Concretamente, se aborda: las diferencias entre individuos cerámicos, en términos de datos arqueométricos, para la detección de relaciones de intercambio y cambio cultural, utilizando métodos de estadística multivariante; la emergencia y estabilidad de fronteras entre el pastoreo nómada y seminómada y la agricultura sedentaria, utilizando de la modelización basada en agentes; y las condiciones para la cooperación en el almacenamiento de alimentos en sociedades de pequeña escala, utilizando también la modelización basada en agentes. Esta tesis contiene texto en tres idiomas: castellano, inglés y catalán. Mientras los dos capítulos introductorios y las conclusiones fueron redactados en castellano, los artículos que componen el corpus principal se encuentran en su versión original en inglés. Todos los capítulos abren con un resumen en las tres lenguas y todos los artículos tienen su resumen traducido al castellano y catalán. Excepcionalmente, el capítulo de las conclusiones se ofrece en los tres idiomas.[cat] Aquesta tesi doctoral tracta l'exploració i modelització formal de patrons socioecològics i tecnoculturals, així com d'alguns dels hipotètics mecanismes que els explicarien. Els patrons es postulen sobre dos tipus d'evidència arqueològica: les produccions de recipients ceràmics i l'ús agropastoral del territori. Els mecanismes tractats s'inclouen en els temes generals de transmissió i evolució culturals, intercanvi, competència i cooperació. La tesi és el resultat de la combinació del perfil generalista i interdisciplinari del doctorand i les oportunitats brindades per la seva participació en tres projectes de recerca (SimulPast, 2011-2017; CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016, i CERAC, 2017-2020). Tot i obtenir la seva inspiració en la trajectòria documentada de l'ocupació humana de la conca del Surkhan Daria, Uzbekistan, es recullen les evidències dins de l'ampli context geogràfic de la Afro-Euràsia àrida. Així mateix, es referencien dades de múltiples períodes, des de l'Edat del Bronze fins a l'actualitat, amb especial èmfasi entre 500 a. C. i 500 d. C. El corpus de la tesi es divideix en dues línies metodològiques, anàlisi de dades arqueomètriques de ceràmiques i simulació de sistemes socioecològics, ambdues emmarcades en la intersecció de la arqueologia quantitativa amb la arqueologia digital. Concretament, s'aborda: les diferències entre individus ceràmics, en termes de dades arqueomètriques, per a la detecció de relacions d'intercanvi i canvi cultural, utilitzant mètodes d'estadística multivariant; l'emergència i estabilitat de fronteres entre el pasturatge nòmada i seminòmada i l'agricultura sedentària, utilitzant de la modelització basada en agents; i les condicions per a la cooperació per a l'emmagatzematge d'aliments en societats de petita escala, utilitzant també la modelització basada en agents. Aquesta tesi conté text en tres idiomes: castellà, anglès i català. Mentre els dos capítols introductoris i les conclusions han estat redactats en castellà, els articles que composen el corpus principal es troben en la seva versió original en anglès. Tots els capítols s'obren amb un resum en les tres llengües i tots els articles tenen el seu resum traduït al castellà i català. Excepcionalment, el capítol de les conclusions s'ofereix en els tres idiomes.[eng] This doctoral thesis addresses the exploration and formal modelling of socio-ecological and techno-cultural patterns, as well as some of the hypothetical mechanisms that would explain them. The patterns are posited on two types of archaeological evidence: the productions of ceramic containers and the agropastoral use of the territory. The mechanisms dealt with are included in the general themes of cultural transmission and evolution, exchange, competition and cooperation. The thesis is the result of the combination of the generalist and interdisciplinary profile of the doctoral student and the opportunities offered by his participation in three research projects (SimulPast, 2011-2017, CAMOTECCER, 2013-2016, and CERAC, 2017-2020). In spite of obtaining its inspiration in the documented trajectory of the human occupation of the Surkhan Daria basin, Uzbekistan, the evidence is collected within the wide geographical context of the arid Afro-Eurasia. Likewise, data for multiple periods are referenced, from the Bronze Age to the present, with special emphasis between 500 BC and 500 AD. The corpus of the thesis is divided into two methodological lines, analysis of archaeometric data of ceramics and simulation of socio-ecological systems, both framed at the intersection of quantitative archaeology with digital archaeology. Specifically, it addresses: the differences between ceramic individuals, in terms of archaeometric data, for the detection of relationships of exchange and cultural change, using multivariate statistical methods; the emergence and stability of borders between nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralism and sedentary agriculture, using agent-based modelling; and the conditions for cooperation for the storage of food in small-scale societies, also using agent-based modelling. This thesis contains text in three languages: Spanish, English, and Catalan. While the two introductory chapters and the conclusions were written in Spanish, the articles that make up the main corpus are in their original English version. All the chapters open with a summary in the three languages and all the articles have their summary translated into Spanish and Catalan. Exceptionally, the chapter on conclusions is offered in all three languages

Quantum Leaper: A Methodology Journey From a Model in NetLogo to a Game in Unity

Combining Games and Agent-Based Models (ABMs) in a single research design (i.e. GAM design) shows potential for investigating complex past, present, or future social phenomena. Games offer engaging environments that can help generating insights into social dynamics, perceptions, and behaviours, while ABMs support the representation and analysis of complexity. We present here the first attempt to “discipline” the interdisciplinary endeavour of developing a GAM design in which an ABM is transformed into a game, thus the two becoming intertwined in one application. When doing this, we use as a GAM design exemplar the process of developing Quantum Leaper, a proof-of-concept video game made in Unity software and based on the NetLogo implementation of the well known “Artificial Anasazi” ABM. This study aims to consolidate the methodology component of the GAM field by proposing the GAM Reflection Framework, a tool that can be used by GAM practitioners, ABM modellers, or game designers looking for methodological guidance with developing an agent-based model that is a game (i.e. an agent-based game)

Land Use Patterns in Central Asia. Step 1: The Musical Chairs Model

Herding and farming coexisted in Central Asia for several thousand years as main options of preindustrial economic production. The relationship between people practicing different variants of these modes of subsistence is known to have been dynamic. Among the many possible explanations, we explore this dynamic by modeling mechanisms that connect aggregate decisions to land use patterns. Within the framework of the SimulPast project, we show here the results from step 1 of our modeling program: the Musical Chairs Model. This abstract agent-based model describes a mechanism of competition for land use between farming and herding. The aim is the exploration of how mobility, intensity, and interdependence of activities can influence land use pattern. After performing a set of experiments within the framework of this model, we compare the implications of each condition for the corroboration of specific land use patterns. Some historical and archaeological implications are also discussed. We suggest that the overall extension of farming in oases can be explained by the competition for land use between farming and herding, assuming that it develops with little or no interference of climatic, geographical, and historical contingencies

biplot2d3d - an R package for generating highly-customizable biplots

The first release of 'biplot2d3d', an R package for generating highly-customizable biplots. The binaries were generated in Windows 7 with R 3.4.1. ---- ### update log: #### v.1.0.1: Package name corrected from "biplots2d3d" to "biplot2d3d". Additionally, several minor corrections in both code and documentation

cerUB - Protocols for exploring archaeometric data (R package)

The first release of cerUB, an R package for exploring archaeometric data. Authors: Andreas Angourakis and Verònica Martínez Ferreras This package allows the user to apply four protocols of multivariate statistics for exploring archaeometric data, including geochemical and mineralogical compositions, and semi-quantitative petrographic characterizations. Protocols wrap several methods used in Geology and Ecology, relying on ade4 and vegan packages. The binaries were generated in Windows 7 with R 3.4.1

Human-Plant Coevolution: A modelling framework for theory-building on the origins of agriculture.

Funder: Leibniz GemeinschaftThe domestication of plants and the origin of agricultural societies has been the focus of much theoretical discussion on why, how, when, and where these happened. The 'when' and 'where' have been substantially addressed by different branches of archaeology, thanks to advances in methodology and the broadening of the geographical and chronological scope of evidence. However, the 'why' and 'how' have lagged behind, holding on to relatively old models with limited explanatory power. Armed with the evidence now available, we can return to theory by revisiting the mechanisms allegedly involved, disentangling their connection to the diversity of trajectories, and identifying the weight and role of the parameters involved. We present the Human-Plant Coevolution (HPC) model, which represents the dynamics of coevolution between a human and a plant population. The model consists of an ecological positive feedback system (mutualism), which can be reinforced by positive evolutionary feedback (coevolution). The model formulation is the result of wiring together relatively simple simulation models of population ecology and evolution, through a computational implementation in R. The HPC model captures a variety of potential scenarios, though which conditions are linked to the degree and timing of population change and the intensity of selective pressures. Our results confirm that the possible trajectories leading to neolithisation are diverse and involve multiple factors. However, simulations also show how some of those factors are entangled, what are their effects on human and plant populations under different conditions, and what might be the main causes fostering agriculture and domestication

Human-plant coevolution

The domestication of plants and the origin of agricultural societies has been the focus of much theoretical discussion on why, how, when, and where these happened. The "when" and "where" have been substantially addressed by different branches of archaeology, thanks to advances in methodology and the broadening of the geographical and chronological scope of evidence. However, the "why" and "how" have lagged behind, holding on to relatively old models with limited explanatory power. Armed with the evidence now available, we can return to theory by revisiting the mechanisms allegedly involved, disentangling their connection to the diversity of trajectories, and identifying the weight and role of the parameters involved. We present the Human-Plant Coevolution (HPC) model, which represents the dynamics of coevolution between a human and a plant population. The model consists of an ecological positive feedback system (mutualism), which can be reinforced by positive evolutionary feedback (coevolution). The model formulation is the result of wiring together relatively simple simulation models of population ecology and evolution, through a computational implementation in R. The HPC model captures a variety of potential scenarios, though which conditions are linked to the degree and timing of population change and the intensity of selective pressures. Our results confirm that the possible trajectories leading to neolithisation are diverse and involve multiple factors. However, simulations also show how some of those factors are entangled, what are their effects on human and plant populations under different conditions, and what might be the main causes fostering agriculture and domestication

Presenting multivariate statistical protocols in R using Roman wine amphorae productions in Catalonia, Spain

Several analytic techniques can provide data for characterizing archaeological ceramics. These data sources are not alternative but rather complementary to each other. They report on different aspects of ceramics concerning the origin of raw materials and the technological processes involved. However, when studies integrate more than one data source, they often do it through textual description and argument, not through a combined statistical analysis. We aim to help to overcome this situation by presenting four protocols for exploring data on archaeological ceramics. These protocols cover four different paths when interrogating ceramic samples. Protocol 1 aims to assist the definition of chemical reference groups using geochemical compositions, for instance, given by X-ray fluorescence analysis (WD-XRF). Protocol 2 focuses on fabric groups using petrographic examinations, such as in thin-section optical microscopy. Protocol 3 offers a hybrid assessment of provenance, using the integral sum of the two data sources. Last, Protocol 4 consists of the same approach as Protocol 3 but using geochemical data and a selection of petrographic variables that are considered indicative of the origin of raw materials and independent of human factors. We demonstrate their performance by applying them to a well-studied Roman wine amphorae dataset from Catalonia, NE Spain, and contextualising the results. Through a comparison of the results produced by these protocols, we restate the conclusion of Baxter et al. (2008) that a 'mixed mode' approach is preferable to analysing data from different sources separately. Moreover, we argue that treating geochemical data as compositional and petrographic semi-quantitative observations as ordinal variables, when calculating dissimilarity, offers a more complete image of ceramic materials. The protocols are the synthetic product of several multivariate statistical methods developed for similar purposes in other disciplines, such as geology and ecology. To allow future users to replicate our analysis and apply the protocols, we published online two R packages containing all necessary procedures, from data cleaning to plotting. We also offer in the appendices a tutorial and the example scripts