Scaling of Hunter-Gatherer Camp Size and Human Sociality
Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 63(1) • University of Chicago Press • Chicago • Published In • Pages: 68-94 •
By Lobo, José, Whitelaw, Todd, Bettencourt, Luís M. A., Wiessner, Polly, Smith, Michael E., Ortman, Scott
Hypothesis
The exponent of the scaling relation between camp area and population size will vary between 1 and 2.
Note
According to the model presented by the authors, it is expected that, due to proximity tensions and the carrying capacity of the environment, the area of a hunter-gatherer camp will increase exponentially for every addition to the population. The authors test this by using an ordinary least squares model to test all hunter-gatherer societies, and then generalized least squares models to control for ecology type, regional group, and culture type.
| Test Name | Support | Significance | Coefficient | Tail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Least Squares & Generalized Least Squares Models | Supported | p<.01 | R^2 = .68, .78, .76, .89 | UNKNOWN |
| Variable Name | Variable Type | OCM Term(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Size | Dependent | Settlement Patterns |
| Population of Settlement | Independent | Community Structure |