Genes are propagated by error-prone copying, and the resulting variation provides the basis for phylogenetic reconstruction of evolutionary relationships. Horizontal gene transfer may be superimposed on a tree-like evolutionary pattern, with some relationships better depicted as networks. The copying of manuscripts by scribes is very similar to the replication of genes, and phylogenetic inference programs can be used directly for reconstructing the copying history of different versions of a manuscript text. Phylogenetic methods have also been used for some time to analyse the evolution of languages and the development of physical cultural artefacts. These studies can help to answer a range of anthropological questions. We propose the adoption of the term “phylomemetics” for phylogenetic analysis of reproducing non-genetic elements.
Phylogenetic methods from evolutionary biology have been used in recent years for stemmatic analysis of manuscript and other traditions. However, some scholars have criticized the applicability of these methods. We review the methods used and the criticisms made. We argue that many of the criticisms arise from a misunderstanding of present methods. While other criticisms may be valid, they also apply to conventional stemmatic analysis. We argue that a combination of phylogenetic methodology and traditional scholarship is likely to be the most useful.
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