Work

Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Measurement systems are important drivers of cultural and technological evolution. However, the evolution of measurement is still insufficiently understood. Many early standardized measurement systems evolved from body-based units of measure, such as the cubit and fathom, but researchers have rarely studied how or why body-based measurement has been used. We documented body-based units of measure in 186 cultures, illustrating how body-based measurement is an activity common to cultures around the world. Here, we describe the cultural and technological domains these units are used in. We argue that body-based units have had, and may still have, advantages over standardized systems, such as in the design of ergonomic technologies. This helps explain the persistence of body-based measurement centuries after the first standardized measurement systems emerged.

Source: Science

DOI: 10.1126/science.adf1936

Authors: Roope O. Kaaronen, Mikael A. Manninen, Jussi T. Eronen

Institution: University of Helsinki

Language: English

Topic: Language and cultural evolution

Subfield: Cultural Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Estimated APC paid: $1,904

OpenAlex ID: W4378977541

FWCI: 37.61

Cites: 27

Cited by: 24

Related to: 10