Session - Topics > Session 4 – Technical stability and change

4 - Technical change and stability

Historically, technical innovations have been used to illustrate past technical or conceptual breakthroughs considered relevant for defining or clarifying the major chrono-cultural phases of Prehistory. Phases of stability within technical systems, as well as the rejection of innovation (their social implications and the reasons for acceptance or rejection) still seem to be rarely discussed in concrete terms, undoubtedly because these aspects are difficult to pinpoint.

What does it mean when a group of people rejects or ignores a potential technical (or even symbolic) innovation? Does this choice reflect a voluntary/hostile distancing from novelty (rejection of knowledge that comes from a perceived “other” or strict adherence to community standards)? A such constrained distancing (e.g., inability to integrate and perpetuate innovation) due to lack of know-how or restricted access to certain raw materials, etc.? Can researchers distinguish between rejection and “non-knowledge” of an innovation in the archaeological record?

On the other hand, technical stability can reflect social, economic and/or environmental stability, but it can also conceal the opposite when we consider all the whole material and ideal culture, including other technical systems (lithic, ceramic etc.). How could these technical arrhythmias be interpreted? Why does one system change and not another?