The Social Dynamics of Aggregation and Dispersal in the Western Desert

Jo Mcdonald; Peter Veth

doi:10.1002/9781118253892.ch6

The Social Dynamics of Aggregation and Dispersal in the Western Desert

Jo Mcdonald^*, Peter Veth

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Meg Conkey's (1980) study of decorated antler/bone objects at Altamira formulated explicit test implications for aggregation and dispersal in hunter-gatherer settlement systems. The concept of diversity in design elements was added into an aggregation " mix " of subsistence, social behaviors, and ritual expression. This chapter explores how Conkey's originally defined expectations and predictions for aggregation locales, as derived from Magdalenian rock-shelters, can be transposed into the Australian arid zone. We argue that punctuated style provinces throughout the Western Desert culture bloc provide the context for aggregation in a landscape occupied by groups displaying hypermobility.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	A Companion to Rock Art
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons
Pages	90-102
Number of pages	13
ISBN (Print)	9781444334241
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118253892.ch6
Publication status	Published - 23 Jul 2012

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The Social Dynamics of Aggregation and Dispersal in the Western Desert

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