Small-world networks: Backbone of the Magdalenian society?

Abstract

The Central European Magdalenian has been shown to exhibit different properties on different scales of observation. A pan-Magdalenian distribution of certain concepts contrasts with signals that allow for the identification of regional groups. In Chap. 9, the question is asked as to how a social system must be organized for being able to generate regionally discernible groups on the one hand, while allowing for large-scale intergroup similarities on the other in a hunter-gatherer context. Based on the results found in the previous chapters, the idea is put forward that the Magdalenian society might have resembled a small-world network and a model of its potential structure is proposed.