Adaptive Adhesive Production Systems in Zambia

Ancient and traditional adhesives were derived from various plant and animal resources. Recent studies reveal their production processes involve diverse technological behaviors; studies also show that adhesives are one indicator of past technological complexity. However, the characteristics of these production systems regarding their adaptive capabilities, flexibility, and mechanisms for knowledge transfer remain unknown. To address this gap, we examined adhesive production using an ethnobiological approach within a multisocioecological context in Zambia. We demonstrate that adhesive production systems exhibit adaptability in materials, behaviors, and knowledge transfer mechanisms, enabling them to overcome challenges related to resource availability, environmental concerns, and institutional restrictions. Moreover, we found that the discovery of adhesive making in the past may have been inspired by observing animal behaviors and revealed that innovative and complex technological behaviors can manifest at younger ages than previously documented. We also observed diverse roles for men and women in the production and use of these technologies. We highlight the need to document the limits of material and production process variability and challenge assumptions about adhesive production. This approach offers insights into the diversity and adaptability of ancient technologies, enhancing our understanding of the resilience of past societies and the evolution of technology.