Model culture

A model culture is a term used in anthropology, archaeology, and paleontology for a method of intelligent guesswork. A people who are well studied are used as a substitute for a more ancient and poorly known culture that may have lived in a similar way. The behaviors and beliefs of the known culture then serve as a model for what is not known about the ancient culture.

The best accepted use of a "model culture" is the interpretation of artifacts. A strange object dug out of the ground is compared to a nearly identical object in a well known culture, and then presumed to be put to the same use in ancient times as modern times. For example: a hollow tube made from an animal's leg bone, with holes drilled in it, may be declared a flute or an oboe, because a model culture manufactures musical instruments in the same way.

A less well-accepted use of a "model culture" is to use a modern culture with nearly identical artifacts as an ancient culture as a source of guesswork about the ancient culture's beliefs, which often leave no artifacts.

Examples of model cultures include:

* The !Kung are models for hunter-gatherers;
* The Celts and Scythians are models for Proto-Indo-Europeans.