Representing kinship: simple models of elementary structures

Cover......Page 1
Kinship structures and generalized exchange......Page 6
List of tables and figures......Page 8
Preface......Page 12
0. Prologue......Page 14
1. Leiden, Levi-Strauss, and the mathematics of double descent......Page 24
Tradition......Page 25
Theories, models,  and structures......Page 36
The non-statement programme......Page 41
Elementary kinship structures and double descent......Page 47
Modelling elementary kinship structures......Page 52
Double descent and matrilateral cross-cousin marriage......Page 62
Appendix......Page 83
2. Recursive definitions: more complex formulae of generalized exchange......Page 94
Hybrid structures and alternative marriages......Page 95
The formal model......Page 119
Intended applications and empirical claims......Page 133
Marriage prohibitions and the limits of generalized exchange......Page 141
Summary and conclusion......Page 155
Appendix......Page 156
Notes......Page 157
3. Age metrics and twisted cylinders: predictions from a structural model......Page 160
The problem......Page 162
Helical models......Page 166
Discussion of the models......Page 179
Appendix......Page 195
Notes......Page 197
4. Symmetries of restricted exchange: the two fold pathto complexity......Page 200
The road to exclusive straight sister-exchange......Page 202
Semi-complex structures as automorphism groups......Page 209
Broken symmetries......Page 237
Appendix......Page 239
Notes......Page 240
5. Kinship, complexity, and the discrete dynamics of simple systems......Page 244
On the complexity of kinship structures......Page 246
Systems of intermediate complexity......Page 249
Cellular automata and discrete dynamical systems......Page 257
Prohibitions, multiple exchanges and semigroups......Page 271
Of brothers and sisters......Page 284
Notes......Page 305
References......Page 308
Index of names......Page 327
General index......Page 331
Dutch summary......Page 338
Curriculum vitae......Page 341