Tsembaga : Introductory Exercises

Four exercises are provided for the student with an introductory interest in anthropology. They may be completed with the introductory model in Figure 5.

1. Build and Verify

Build the model in Figure 5 and verify that it produces the simulation results shown in Figure 6.

2. "DT/2 Test"

Recall the advice from chapter 11 that you repeat all simulations with DT cut in half to learn if you get the same results. Perform this test with the model in the previous exercise. Does the model pass the test? Or does this model fall into the trap of mistaking DT for a real world parameter?

3. Kampman's Critique

Christian Kampmann (1991) points out a "DT problem" similar to the problem which you may have identified in the previous exercise. He suggests an improved form of the Tsembaga model which allows simulation without imposing a "real world meaning" on DT. Review his critique and suggestions for an improved model. Now, implement his change in humans at war to solve the "DT problem" from the previous exercise. Does the improved model give similar results?