How and why have measurement systems evolved? Many early measurement systems were derived from parts of the body, such as the foot or cubit– the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Recent research has suggested that measurement systems transitioned through stages, from body-measurements to more complex standardized systems. However, through analyses of ethnographic data drawn from the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample, the authors find that the use of body-based measurement is still prevalent in most cultures worldwide, despite the development of standardized measurement systems. The authors posit that the persistence of body-based measurement is due to the advantages it holds over standardized measurement systems.

While string figure designs are very widespread, global cross-cultural analysis into potential connections are lacking. This study presents the first global and cross-cultural sample of string figures and suggests the widely dispersed occurrence of identical patterns and practices reflects a deep ancestry. Patterns such as these could be a product of deep cultural transmission and cognitive evolution, topics that should be researched further in future studies.

While string figure designs are very widespread, global cross-cultural analysis into potential connections are lacking. This study presents the first global and cross-cultural sample of string figures and suggests the widely dispersed occurrence of identical patterns and practices reflects a deep ancestry. Patterns such as these could be a product of deep cultural transmission and cognitive evolution, topics that should be researched further in future studies.

While string figure designs are very widespread, global cross-cultural analysis into potential connections are lacking. This study presents the first global and cross-cultural sample of string figures and suggests the widely dispersed occurrence of identical patterns and practices reflects a deep ancestry. Patterns such as these could be a product of deep cultural transmission and cognitive evolution, topics that should be researched further in future studies.

To explore the fundamental nuances of knots, this study analyzes patterns of knot tying in an evolutionary cross-cultural lens. The results highlight a set of staple knots congruent across societies that implies the fundamentality of knots to human technology and innovation, exposing both strong patterns of social learning as well as task and subsistence diversity. The knot theory and computational string matching methods used in this study could be expanded to larger string or tying analysis in the future. Geographical proximity is not generally an important factor.

To explore the fundamental nuances of knots, this study analyzes patterns of knot tying in an evolutionary cross-cultural lens. The results highlight a set of staple knots congruent across societies that implies the fundamentality of knots to human technology and innovation, exposing both strong patterns of social learning as well as task and subsistence diversity. The knot theory and computational string matching methods used in this study could be expanded to larger string or tying analysis in the future. Geographical proximity is not generally an important factor.

To explore the fundamental nuances of knots, this study analyzes patterns of knot tying in an evolutionary cross-cultural lens. The results highlight a set of staple knots congruent across societies that implies the fundamentality of knots to human technology and innovation, exposing both strong patterns of social learning as well as task and subsistence diversity. The knot theory and computational string matching methods used in this study could be expanded to larger string or tying analysis in the future. Geographical proximity is not generally an important factor.

Author reconsiders an earlier study on mother-infant contact and its possible effects on a society's language system. Focuses here on a different dependent variable--the society's local jurisdictional hierarchy.

This study is a comprehensive analysis of female and male genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C and MGM/C) practices, including their history and socio-ecological correlates, using a phylogenetic cross-cultural framework. It employed two global ethnographic samples, the Ethnographic Atlas (EA) and the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS), and two subsets of the phylogeny (supertree) of human populations based on genetic and linguistic data, to investigate the variables that may have led to the introduction of these practices, and to determine where and when they may have originated. The study suggests that MGM/C probably originated in polygynous societies with separate residence for co-wives, supporting a mate-guarding function, and that FGM/C likely originated subsequently and almost exclusively in societies already practicing MGM/C, where it may have become a signal of chastity. Both practices are believed to have originated multiple times, some as early as in the mid-Holocene (5,000–7,000 years ago). The study posits that GM/C co-evolves with and may help maintain fundamental social structures and that the high fitness costs of FGM/C are offset by social benefits, such as enhanced marriageability and social capital.

This study is a comprehensive analysis of female and male genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C and MGM/C) practices, including their history and socio-ecological correlates, using a phylogenetic cross-cultural framework. It employed two global ethnographic samples, the Ethnographic Atlas (EA) and the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS), and two subsets of the phylogeny (supertree) of human populations based on genetic and linguistic data, to investigate the variables that may have led to the introduction of these practices, and to determine where and when they may have originated. The study suggests that MGM/C probably originated in polygynous societies with separate residence for co-wives, supporting a mate-guarding function, and that FGM/C likely originated subsequently and almost exclusively in societies already practicing MGM/C, where it may have become a signal of chastity. Both practices are believed to have originated multiple times, some as early as in the mid-Holocene (5,000–7,000 years ago). The study posits that GM/C co-evolves with and may help maintain fundamental social structures and that the high fitness costs of FGM/C are offset by social benefits, such as enhanced marriageability and social capital.