Peer Polity Interaction is a concept in
archaeological theory
Archaeological theory refers to the various intellectual frameworks through which archaeologists interpret archaeological data. Archaeological theory functions as the application of philosophy of science to archaeology, and is occasionally referre ...
developed by
Colin Renfrew and
John Cherry, to explain change in society and
material culture
Material culture is the aspect of social reality grounded in the objects and architecture that surround people. It includes the usage, consumption, creation, and trade of objects as well as the behaviors, norms, and rituals that the objects creat ...
.
Peer-Polity Interaction models see the primary driver of change as the relationships and contacts between societies of relatively equal standing. According to the model set out by Renfrew,
[Ibidem, S. 6.] it encompasses three main sorts of interaction:
# Competition, including
warfare
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular ...
and
competitive emulation
# 'Symbolic entrainment', where societies borrow symbolic systems wholesale from their neighbours, such as numerical systems, social structures and religious beliefs, because these fill a currently empty niche in their society.
# 'Transmission of innovation', where technology spreads by trade, gift-giving, and other forms of exchange.
Further reading
* Colin Renfrew, John F. Cherry (Eds.): ''Peer Polity Interaction and Socio-Political Change''. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1986, .
* John Ma: ''Peer Polity Interaction in the Hellenistic Age''. In: ''Past and Present''. 180, 2003, S. 9–39.
* Anthony Snodgrass: ''Interaction by Design: The Greek City State''. In: Ders.: ''Archaeology and the Emergence of Greece''. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh 2012, {{ISBN, 9780748623334, S. 234–257.
* Summary of the article by Anthony Snodgrass
Bibliography
Archaeological theory