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Book: Origin and Evolution of Languages

Chapter: Simulating the expansion of farming and the differentiation of European languages

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.19031

Blurb:

In this chapter we will first briefly present a simulation based on a cellular automaton that tries to reproduce (explain) the expansion of the Neo-Assyrian empire in the Ancient Near East but we will dedicate most of the chapter to describing a simulation model of the expansion of farming in Ancient Europe with possible links to the origin and differentiation of European languages. In both cases our main goal is methodological, i.e., to illustrate the potential of simulations as a research tool in the social and historical sciences, not to claim the validity of any particular model which may seem to be supported by the simulations.

Chapter Contributors

  • Domenico Parisi ([email protected] - parisi) 'Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council'
  • Francesco Antinucci ([email protected] - Antinucci599712453) 'Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council'
  • Francesco Natale ([email protected] - Natale564791551) 'Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council'
  • Federico Cecconi ([email protected] - Cecconi1585665930) 'Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Counci'