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.

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.

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.

Social scientists are equivocal as to the importance of teaching (as contrasted with other forms of learning) in traditional societies. While many cultural anthropologists have downplayed the importance of teaching, cognitive psychologists often argue that teaching is a salient human universal. Here the authors investigate cultural transmission among 23 hunter-gatherer populations to explore the relative importance of teaching among foragers.

Social scientists are equivocal as to the importance of teaching (as contrasted with other forms of learning) in traditional societies. While many cultural anthropologists have downplayed the importance of teaching, cognitive psychologists often argue that teaching is a salient human universal. Here the authors investigate cultural transmission among 23 hunter-gatherer populations to explore the relative importance of teaching among foragers.

Social scientists are equivocal as to the importance of teaching (as contrasted with other forms of learning) in traditional societies. While many cultural anthropologists have downplayed the importance of teaching, cognitive psychologists often argue that teaching is a salient human universal. Here the authors investigate cultural transmission among 23 hunter-gatherer populations to explore the relative importance of teaching among foragers.