Archaeological Synthesis and Settlement Scaling Theory

Explore the fascinating world of archaeological synthesis and settlement scaling theory in this 55-minute talk by Scott Ortman from the Santa Fe Institute. Discover how consistent patterns in human settlements across millennia and continents reveal underlying uniformities, regardless of economic systems or technological advancements. Learn about the transformation of archaeology and its new cross-disciplinary approaches. Gain insights into how human settlements act as social reactors, facilitating interactions that drive history. Understand the connections between ancient civilizations and modern society, challenging common beliefs about the drivers of change. Delve into the scaling laws governing city growth and their similarities to evolutionary processes. Examine how functional relationships within communities have shaped history and continue to influence our present. Update your understanding of the ancient world and the role of archaeologists in uncovering these revelations.