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Beyond the binary: Inferential challenges and solutions in cognitive archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2025

Cheng Liu Open the ORCID record for Cheng Liu [Opens in a new window]  and
Dietrich Stout Open the ORCID record for Dietrich Stout [Opens in a new window]
Cheng Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA cheng.liu@emory.edu https://raylc.github.io/
Dietrich Stout
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA cheng.liu@emory.edu https://raylc.github.io/ Center for Mind, Brain & Culture, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA dwstout@emory.edu https://anthropology.emory.edu/people/bios/stout-dietrich.html
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We welcome Stibbard-Hawkes's empirical contributions and discussion of interpretive challenges for archaeology, but question some of his characterizations and conclusions. Moving beyond critique, it is time to develop new research methods that eschew simplistic modern/premodern binaries. We advocate an inductive, probabilistic approach using multiple lines of evidence to infer the causes and consequences of behavioral variability across time and space.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e13
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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