Darwin-L Message Log 6:36 (February 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

---

<6:36>From LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU  Tue Feb  8 10:52:12 1994

Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 10:52:12 -0600
From: "JOHN LANGDON"  <LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU>
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: more magic numbers

In message <00979BE4.ED36D32C.14395@CVAX.IPFW.INDIANA.EDU>  writes:
> 	It seems H. sapiens may have multiple magic numbers.  We have
> the 7+-2, Sale proposed about 7000 in Human Scale and I recall having
> read an article suggesting another in the 125-175 range.  Is anyone
> aware of other proposals for optimal size ranges for human groups?

I believe the magic numbers 25 and 500 for hunter-gatherer band and language
tribe sizes came from Birdsell (1968) in the Man the Hunter Symposium. See RB
Lee and I DeVore eds., Man the Hunter, Aldine Press, esp. pp. 229-240
(Birdsell's article) and pp. 245-248 (panel discussion of magic numbers).

If anyone else comes up with additional sources, please share them on the list
or send me a copy. Thanks.

JOHN H. LANGDON                email   LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY          FAX  (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS     PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227

---

Your Amazon purchases help support this website. Thank you!