Knot diagrams on a punctured sphere as a model of string figures

Arai, Masafumi; Taniyama, Kouki

doi:10.1142/s0218216520500716

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Our analysis reveals patterns indicative of innovation and guided variation 33 within certain regions, while the global distribution of certain string figures strongly suggests a temporally deep shared ancestry reaching back, we suggest, into the Pleistocene. The making of string figures has also been related to the development of mathematical thinking 30,[34][35][36][37][38] .…”

Section: Mainmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

Kaaronen,

Walsh,

Henrich

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Few cultural practices beyond language are as widespread as string figure games. Their global distribution and potential to yield insights into cultural transmission and cognition have long been noted. Yet, it remains unknown how or when this behavior originated and to what extent shared motifs are signals of repeated innovations or deep cultural transmission. Here, we combined a global cross-cultural inventory of string figures with a novel methodology based on knot theory, which enables the unequivocal numerical coding of string figures. We performed a computational analysis of a sample of 826 figures from 92 societies around the world. Across these societies, we found 83 recurring string figure designs, some of which are regionally restricted while others display a global distribution. The cognitively opaque nature of string figure designs and their clear geographic distribution reveals processes of cultural transmission, innovation, and convergent evolution. Most strikingly, the global distribution of some figures raises the possibility of shared ancient origins.

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Section: Mainmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Described by Waugh and Sherman 35 . This method is seemingly also used by the Mapuche, described in Spanish 36 .…”

Section: Data Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

Kaaronen,

Walsh,

Henrich

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

Kaaronen,

Walsh,

Henrich

et al. 2024

J. R. Soc. Interface.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Few cultural practices beyond language are as widespread as string figure games. Their global distribution and potential to yield insights into cultural transmission and cognition have long been noted. Yet, it remains unknown how or when this behaviour originated and to what extent shared motifs are signals of repeated innovations or deep cultural transmission. Here, we combined a global cross-cultural inventory of string figures with a novel methodology based on knot theory, which enables the unequivocal numerical coding of string figures. We performed a computational analysis of a sample of 826 figures from 92 societies around the world. Across these societies, we found 83 recurring string figure designs, some of which are regionally restricted while others display a global distribution. The cognitively opaque nature of string figure designs and their clear geographic distribution reveal processes of cultural transmission, innovation, and convergent evolution. Most strikingly, the global distribution of some figures raises the possibility of shared ancient origins.

show abstract

Knot diagrams on a punctured sphere as a model of string figures

Cited by 2 publications

References 3 publications

A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation

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