On the origins of dance

Bibliographic Data

ID4802187
AuthorsPeter Hannay (University of York), Tom Mcleish (0000-0002-2025-0299, University of York), J Schofield (0000-0001-6903-7395, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume56
Issue4
Pages1-10
Publication date2024-07-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWorld Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00438243.2024.2370803
OpenAlexW4400982188
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited29

Given that culture involves some form of transmission from one generation to the next, the question of its origins must necessarily involve activities that do not depend on its pre-existence. Dancing is significant in being simultaneously an individual and a spontaneous activity, dependent on biological underpinnings that are instinctive, for example, in human children. It is also a phenomenon present in almost all human societies and cultures as an activity that can exist both within and without specific cultural context. In this paper, we examine dance from the point of view of cultural evolution, both as a spontaneous activity independent of any pre-existing culture and as transmitted patterns of behaviour within and between generations. The paper offers ideas as background to a model which we then briefly outline in our conclusion

Archaeology · Art · Biology · Context (archaeology · Cultural transmission in animals · Dance · Epistemology · Evolutionary biology · Human culture · Instinct · Literature · Phenomenon · Sociology · Anthropology · Child and Animal Learning Development · Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · History · Language and cultural evolution · Philosophy

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