Position Paper
The Past as a Stochastic Process
Authors:
- David H. WolpertEmail David H. Wolpert
- Michael H. Price
- Stefani A. Crabtree
- Timothy A. Kohler
- Jürgen Jost
- James Evans
- Peter F. Stadler
- Hajime Shimao
- Manfred D. Laubichler
Abstract
Historical processes manifest remarkable diversity. Nevertheless, scholars have long attempted, with some success, to identify patterns and categorize historical actors and influences. A stochastic process framework provides a structured approach for the analysis of large historical datasets that allows for detection of sometimes surprising patterns, identification of relevant causal actors both endogenous and exogenous to the process, and comparison between different historical cases. The combination of data, analytical tools and the organizing theoretical framework of stochastic processes complements traditional narrative approaches in history and archaeology.
Publisher’s Note: A correction article relating to this paper has been published and can be found at https://journal.caa-international.org/articles/10.5334/jcaa.164.
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 7 Issue: 1
- Page/Article: 134–152
- DOI: 10.5334/jcaa.113
- Submitted on 6 May 2023
- Accepted on 21 Nov 2023
- Published on 8 Feb 2024
- Peer Reviewed