Island Networks
Communication, Kinship, and Classification Structures in Oceania

Using network models from graph theory, this book analyses the formation of Pacific island empires.

Per Hage (Author), Frank Harary (Author)

9780521552325, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 October 1996

320 pages, 121 b/w illus. 4 maps 10 tables
23.6 x 16 x 2.4 cm, 0.64 kg

"Their approach is particularly valuable to the study of communication in Pacific Island societies and regional systems from a process-oriented perspective..." A.Arno, Choice

Contrary to common perception and belief, most island societies of the Pacific were not isolated, but were connected to other island societies by relations of kinship and marriage, trade and tribute, language and history. Using network models from graph theory, the authors analyse the formation of island empires, the social basis of dialect groups, the emergence of economic and political centres, the evolution and devolution of social stratification and the evolution of kinship terminologies, marriage systems and descent groups from common historical prototypes. The book is at once a unique and important contribution to Oceania studies, anthropology and social network analysis.

List of figures, tables, and maps
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Island networks and graphs
2. Trees
3. The minimum spanning tree problem
4. Search trees I
5. Search trees II
6. Centrality
7. Dominating sets
8. Digraphs
9. Conclusion
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM]