Cultural macroevolution among high latitude hunter–gatherers: a phylogenetic study of the Arctic Small Tool tradition

• Phylogenetic analysis identifies four Paleoeskimo cultural variants.
• Earliest Paleoeskimo groups in the Eastern Arctic most likely arrived via two migrations.
• Degree of cultural differentiation is correlated with measures of time and space.

This study tests alternative hypotheses regarding the underlying conditions favoring variation in degree of differentiation between cultures in an evolving lineage. To accomplish this we develop a phylogenetic analysis of the early Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) of eastern Siberia and northern North America. The use of early ASTt data permits us to monitor change while largely eliminating the possibility of influence by other cultural traditions. It also allows us to explore lingering questions regarding ASTt migrations. We examine correlations between tree branch length as a measure of cultural differentiation and geographic distance (from the oldest site), mean radiocarbon date, and three measures of terrestrial ecological variation. Outcomes suggest that only geographic distance and radiocarbon dates correlate with tree branch length. We offer conclusions regarding ASTt evolution and migrations along with ideas for future research.