What the study found
The study found non-linear changes in South Scandinavian Mesolithic portable art, including a notable Middle Mesolithic peak in visual complexity and a slight, gradual increase in information content over time. The authors interpret these shifts as reflecting different societal functions of the ornamentations.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the findings help index the emergence of fundamentally different societal functions of these ornamentations. The study suggests these shifts broadly correlate with, and are likely driven by, environmental and demographic changes.
What the researchers tested
The researchers analyzed anthropogenic ornamentation on archaeological artefacts from Mesolithic South Scandinavia. They used Shannon information entropy to measure information content and perimetric complexity to measure visual complexity, then mapped changes in motif morphology over time within a cognitive affordance framework.
What worked and what didn't
The combined measures were able to identify diachronic developments in motif morphology. The results showed a Middle Mesolithic peak in visual complexity and a gradual increase in information content, but the abstract does not report any measures that failed or any negative findings beyond this pattern.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations, sample size, or uncertainty estimates. The findings are limited to the South Scandinavian Mesolithic portable art corpus described in the study.
Key points
- Shannon information entropy and perimetric complexity were used to quantify decorated artefacts.
- The study found a Middle Mesolithic peak in visual complexity.
- Information content increased slightly and gradually over time.
- The authors interpret the pattern as non-linear development in ornamentation practices.
- The abstract says the shifts likely relate to environmental and demographic changes.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Mesolithic ornamentation changed non-linearly over time
- Authors:
- Lasse Lukas Platz Herskind, Riccardo Fusaroli, Helena Miton, Felix Riede
- Institutions:
- Aarhus University, Moesgaard Museum, Moesgaard Museum, Stanford University
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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