Jelmer Eerkens: UC Davis Anthropology

Laboratory experiments and ethnographic studies show that many aspects of human culture, particularly
information, can change quickly in the course of transmission. The archaeological record indicates much
more conservative rates of change, at least for material culture. Is there common theoretical ground between
the micro- and macro- scales? This paper considers some of the factors that affect culture change and the
rate at which material culture, and variation therein, might change in the archaeological record. As well, it
explores the micro-macro perspectives.