Ancestrality Momuments

(un)Tradeable installation participants are invited to ponder: How good ancestors are we for generations living circa 210 years from now? What about for generations that lived before us?

This inquiry, rooted in the installation’s Ancestral Monuments, traces humanity’s demographic arc—from 1–2 billion births in our hunter-gatherer origins (300,000–10,000 BCE) to 60–70 billion in the modern era (1500 CE–present). Represented by towers rising from 0.20 to 14.22 meters, these structures visualize our species’ growth while resisting commodified narratives.

Engaging with worldmaking, we explore our capacity to migrate through time, forging legacies that honor collective memory and equity. By reflecting on our past and future, participants co-create pathways to sustainable, untradeable values, ensuring our actions resonate across centuries for those yet to come.

This component of (un)Tradeable was developed in partnership with Yves Mathieu and Missions Publiques,

Phase 1: The Origins of Humanity (Approximately 300,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE)

Overview

Phase 1 captures the dawn of human existence, beginning with the emergence of Homo sapiens around 300,000 years ago and extending to the brink of the Agricultural Revolution around 10,000 BCE. During this nearly 290,000-year period, humans lived as hunter-gatherers, forming small, nomadic groups that roamed the Earth in search of food and shelter. The Ancestral Monument for this phase—a tower standing between 0.20 and 0.41 meters tall—represents an estimated 1 to 2 billion births. This modest structure, roughly the height of a small stack of books, symbolizes the slow and gradual growth of human populations during the vast majority of our species' history.

What the Monument Represents

The towers in the (un)tradeable installation are a visual and symbolic representation of human population growth across history. Each tower is constructed from sheets of paper, where one sheet equals 500,000 lives. The height of the tower reflects the total number of births in a given phase, offering a tangible way to grasp the scale of humanity's demographic journey. For Phase 1, the tower’s modest stature highlights a key theme of the installation: for hundreds of thousands of years, human numbers grew at a glacial pace, limited by natural barriers such as food scarcity and high mortality rates. This phase serves as the quiet foundation for the dramatic population surges seen in later periods.

How the Tower Height Was Calculated

The height of the Phase 1 tower is derived from a straightforward yet meaningful calculation:

Number of Births: Estimates suggest that between 1 and 2 billion people were born during this period.
Sheets of Paper: Since each sheet represents 500,000 lives:
- For 1 billion births: 1,000,000,000500,000=2,000500,0001,000,000,000=2,000 sheets.
- For 2 billion births: 2,000,000,000500,000=4,000500,0002,000,000,000=4,000 sheets.
Tower Height: A standard sheet of paper is approximately 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) thick. Stacking the sheets vertically:
- For 2,000 sheets: 2,000×0.004=82,000×0.004=8 inches, or 0.20 meters.
- For 4,000 sheets: 4,000×0.004=164,000×0.004=16 inches, or 0.41 meters.

Thus, the tower ranges from 0.20 to 0.41 meters, a height that underscores the limited scale of population growth in this early era compared to the towering structures of later phases.

Estimating the Number of Births

Determining how many people were born between 300,000 BCE and 10,000 BCE is a challenging task, as no written records exist from this time. Scientists rely on a combination of cutting-edge research methods to piece together this prehistoric puzzle:

Archaeological Evidence: Discoveries of tools, burial sites, and settlement patterns provide hints about population sizes and densities. For example, the number and size of campsites suggest that early human groups were small, typically 20-50 people.
Genetic Studies: By analyzing the DNA of modern humans—particularly mitochondrial DNA (passed through mothers) and Y-chromosome markers (passed through fathers)—researchers can trace back to our ancestors and estimate the size of early populations. These studies often reveal periods of low genetic diversity, indicating small, isolated groups.
Demographic Models: Using data from modern hunter-gatherer societies, scientists simulate ancient birth and death rates. These models account for high infant mortality (often 30-50%), short life expectancies (around 30-40 years), and low population growth rates, resulting in a slow accumulation of births over millennia.

The estimate of 1 to 2 billion births reflects the cumulative effect of these factors over nearly 290,000 years. While the range is broad, it captures the uncertainty inherent in studying such a distant past while grounding the monument in credible science.

Detailed Description of the Phase

Phase 1 represents a time when humanity was just beginning to take shape. Our ancestors lived in a world governed by nature’s rhythms, moving across landscapes to hunt animals, gather plants, and find shelter. Key features of this period include:

Small Populations: Groups were tiny and spread out, rarely exceeding a few dozen individuals. This kept the global population low—likely just a few thousand people at first, growing to perhaps a few million by 10,000 BCE.
Survival Challenges: Life was tough, with no farming or permanent homes. Food depended on what could be found, and harsh climates, diseases, and predators claimed many lives, especially infants and young children.
Early Innovations: Despite these limits, humans laid the groundwork for the future. They mastered fire, crafted stone tools, and began creating art—like the cave paintings of Lascaux—hinting at the development of culture and language.

The Phase 1 tower’s small size mirrors this reality: population growth was held back by natural constraints, inching along over hundreds of thousands of years. In the context of the (un)tradeable installation, this monument stands as a stark reminder of humanity’s humble beginnings, contrasting sharply with the towering heights of later phases driven by agriculture, technology, and medicine.

Significance in the Installation

The (un)tradeable installation uses these towers to tell the story of humanity’s demographic evolution, and Phase 1 is the starting point. Its modest height— dwarfed by the structures of Phases 2, 3, and 4—illustrates that for most of our history, human expansion was slow and steady. This phase sets the stage for the exponential growth that follows, emphasizing how breakthroughs like farming and modern medicine transformed our species’ trajectory. As you explore the monuments, the Phase 1 tower invites reflection on our deep past and the long, quiet prelude to the bustling world we know today.

Phase 2: The Agricultural Revolution (10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE)

Overview

Phase 2 spans from approximately 10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE, a transformative 7,000-year period in human history known as the Agricultural Revolution. During this time, our ancestors shifted from a nomadic life of hunting and gathering to settling in one place and growing their own food. By domesticating plants like wheat, barley, and rice, and animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle, humans created a more stable and abundant food supply. This change allowed people to establish permanent villages, which later grew into towns and cities. The result? A significant jump in population growth, as agriculture supported larger families and denser communities. In the (un)tradeable installation, this phase is represented by a tower standing between 1.02 and 2.03 meters tall—about the height of a person—symbolizing an estimated 5 to 10 billion births.

What the Monument Represents

The towers in the (un)tradeable installation are more than just stacks of paper—they’re a visual story of humanity’s growth. Each sheet of paper represents 500,000 lives, and the height of each tower reflects the total number of births in a given phase. For Phase 2, the tower’s height of 1.02 to 2.03 meters captures the dramatic rise in population during the Agricultural Revolution. Compared to the much smaller tower of Phase 1 (the earlier hunter-gatherer era), this monument shows how agriculture unlocked a new chapter of human expansion. Standing at roughly the height of an average person, it’s a striking symbol of how our ancestors began to thrive in greater numbers.

How the Tower Height Was Calculated

The height of the Phase 2 tower is based on a simple yet precise calculation:

Number of Births: Experts estimate that 5 to 10 billion people were born during this 7,000-year period.
Sheets of Paper: With each sheet representing 500,000 lives:
- For 5 billion births: 5,000,000,000÷500,000=10,0005,000,000,000÷500,000=10,000 sheets.
- For 10 billion births: 10,000,000,000÷500,000=20,00010,000,000,000÷500,000=20,000 sheets.
Tower Height: Each sheet of paper is about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) thick. Stacking them up:
- For 10,000 sheets: 10,000×0.004=4010,000×0.004=40 inches, or 1.02 meters.
- For 20,000 sheets: 20,000×0.004=8020,000×0.004=80 inches, or 2.03 meters.

So, the tower ranges from 1.02 to 2.03 meters, a height you could compare to a child or an adult standing beside you. This range reflects the uncertainty in exact birth numbers while showcasing the scale of growth.

Estimating the Number of Births

How do we estimate that 5 to 10 billion people were born over 7,000 years? It’s a mix of science and detective work:

Archaeological Clues: Dig sites from early farming communities—like those in the Fertile Crescent—show how many people lived in these settlements. Things like house sizes, grain storage, and burial grounds give hints about population sizes.
Life and Death: Early farmers had more food, so they could support bigger families. But life was still tough—infant mortality was high (20-30%), and most people lived only 30-40 years due to disease and harsh conditions.
Growth Patterns: Agriculture meant more food per acre than hunting, so populations grew faster. Still, growth was limited by famines, illnesses, and a lack of medical care.

The 5 to 10 billion estimate comes from combining these factors over thousands of years, showing how humanity began to multiply during this phase.

What Happened During This Phase

The Agricultural Revolution wasn’t just about farming—it changed how humans lived:

Food Production: People started growing crops and raising animals instead of chasing wild game. This meant they could stay in one place and build a steady food supply.
Settlements: Villages popped up, some growing into early towns. Living together led to new ways of organizing society, like leaders and shared work.
New Tools and Ideas: Farmers invented tools like plows and irrigation to make their work easier. Social roles got more complex too, with some people specializing as craftsmen or traders.
Life’s Challenges: Even with more food, many babies didn’t survive, and adults faced risks from disease or crop failures. Life improved, but it wasn’t easy.

The Phase 2 tower’s height—reaching up to your head—mirrors this era’s role as a game-changer, when humans took control of their food and started building the foundations of modern society.

Why This Matters in the Installation

In the (un)tradeable installation, the Phase 2 tower stands tall to show how agriculture sparked a population boom. It’s much bigger than Phase 1’s tower, highlighting how humans began to overcome nature’s limits through innovation. This phase is like the first big step in a long journey—without it, the explosive growth of later phases wouldn’t have been possible. As you look at the tower, imagine it as a bridge between our ancient nomadic past and the bustling civilizations that came later. It’s a reminder of how a simple idea—planting a seed—shaped the world we live in today.

Phase 3: The Rise of Civilizations and Migrations (3,000 BCE to 1500 CE)

Overview

Phase 3 spans from 3,000 BCE to 1500 CE, a transformative 4,500-year period that saw the emergence of the world’s first great civilizations, the growth of empires, and widespread human migrations. This era marks humanity’s shift from small, isolated communities to complex societies with cities, writing, and advanced technologies. The Ancestral Monument for this phase stands between 4.06 and 6.10 meters tall, representing an estimated 20 to 30 billion births. Rising to the height of a single-story building, this monument symbolizes the remarkable population growth driven by agricultural innovations, urbanization, and increasing global connections.

What the Monument Represents

In the (un)tradeable installation, each Ancestral Monument visually captures the scale of human births across history. For Phase 3, every sheet of paper represents 500,000 lives, and the monument’s height reflects the total number of births during this period. Ranging from 4.06 to 6.10 meters, this monument towers over those of earlier phases, illustrating the dramatic population surge as civilizations took root and expanded. It stands as a tribute to the countless lives that contributed to humanity’s growth during an era of unprecedented societal development.

How the Monument Height Was Calculated

The height of the Phase 3 monument is calculated based on the estimated number of births and the thickness of each paper sheet:

Number of Births: Experts estimate that 20 to 30 billion people were born between 3,000 BCE and 1500 CE.
Sheets of Paper: With each sheet representing 500,000 lives:
- For 20 billion births: 20,000,000,000500,000=40,000500,00020,000,000,000=40,000 sheets.
- For 30 billion births: 30,000,000,000500,000=60,000500,00030,000,000,000=60,000 sheets.
Monument Height: Each sheet is 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) thick. Stacking them vertically:
- For 40,000 sheets: 40,000×0.004=16040,000×0.004=160 inches, or approximately 4.06 meters (1 inch = 0.0254 meters).
- For 60,000 sheets: 60,000×0.004=24060,000×0.004=240 inches, or approximately 6.10 meters.

Thus, the monument’s height ranges from 4.06 to 6.10 meters, a tangible representation of the era’s demographic expansion.

Estimating the Number of Births

Estimating births for this 4,500-year period relies on a mix of historical data and scientific methods:

Written Records: The invention of writing during this phase provides valuable insights, with records like censuses and tax documents from civilizations such as Rome, China, and Egypt offering population estimates.
Archaeological Evidence: Excavations of ancient cities—like Babylon, Alexandria, and Chang’an—reveal urban populations that sometimes exceeded a million, while artifacts and burial sites hint at broader demographic trends.
Demographic Models: Researchers use data from pre-industrial societies to estimate birth rates (typically 5-7 children per woman) and mortality rates, factoring in shorter life expectancies (25-35 years) and losses from disease, war, and famine.

The range of 20 to 30 billion births reflects the cumulative impact of these factors over millennia, capturing the era’s significant yet uneven population growth.

Detailed Description of the Phase

Phase 3 is a pivotal chapter in human history, defined by the rise of complex societies and the forces that shaped them:

Early Civilizations: Starting around 3,000 BCE, societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China developed writing, monumental architecture (e.g., pyramids, ziggurats), and organized governance.
Urban and Agricultural Growth: Cities emerged as centers of trade and culture, supported by innovations like irrigation and crop rotation, which boosted food production and sustained larger populations.
Empires and Migrations: Vast empires—such as the Roman, Mauryan, and Han—unified regions, while migrations like the Bantu expansion in Africa and the spread of Indo-European peoples reshaped continents.
Technological and Intellectual Advances: The invention of bronze and iron tools, the wheel, and sailing ships revolutionized daily life, while philosophies and religions (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity) influenced societies globally.

Challenges like plagues, wars, and natural disasters tempered this growth, yet the overall trajectory was upward, setting the stage for the modern world. The Phase 3 monument’s height—up to 6.10 meters—embodies this era’s role as a foundation for human expansion.

Significance in the Installation

The Phase 3 monument in the (un)tradeable installation highlights a period of profound change, where humanity’s ingenuity and resilience drove a population boom. Its imposing height compared to earlier phases underscores the impact of civilizations and migrations, while also foreshadowing the explosive growth of later eras. This structure invites reflection on how the achievements and struggles of this time continue to echo in our present, connecting us to the billions who lived and died during these formative millennia.

Phase 4: The Modern Era (1500 CE to Present)

Overview

Phase 4 of the "Untradeable" installation spans from 1500 CE to the present day, a dynamic 500-year period that has witnessed an extraordinary surge in human population. This era includes pivotal moments like the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of modern technology and medicine. The Ancestral Monument for this phase stands between 12.19 and 14.22 meters tall, equivalent to a 3- to 4-story building, and represents an estimated 60 to 70 billion births. This towering structure captures the dramatic demographic growth fueled by groundbreaking advancements and global connectivity.

What the Monument Represents

In the (un)tradeable installation, each Ancestral Monument uses sheets of paper to symbolize human births across history. For Phase 4, every sheet of paper represents 500,000 lives, and the monument’s height—ranging from 12.19 to 14.22 meters—reflects the total births during this period. This massive scale dwarfs the monuments of earlier phases, offering a striking visual of the modern era’s population explosion. It honors the billions of lives that have shaped humanity’s rapid expansion and the transformative changes of the last five centuries.

How the Monument Height Was Calculated

The height of the Phase 4 monument is derived from the estimated number of births and the thickness of each paper sheet:

Number of Births: Historical estimates suggest 60 to 70 billion people were born since 1500 CE.
Sheets of Paper: With each sheet representing 500,000 lives:
- For 60 billion births: 60,000,000,000÷500,000=120,00060,000,000,000÷500,000=120,000 sheets.
- For 70 billion births: 70,000,000,000÷500,000=140,00070,000,000,000÷500,000=140,000 sheets.
Monument Height: Each sheet is 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) thick. Stacking them:
- For 120,000 sheets: 120,000×0.004=480120,000×0.004=480 inches, or 12.19 meters (1 inch = 0.0254 meters).
- For 140,000 sheets: 140,000×0.004=560140,000×0.004=560 inches, or 14.22 meters.

This calculation results in a height range of 12.19 to 14.22 meters, making the monument a tangible marker of the era’s demographic boom.

Estimating the Number of Births

The estimate of 60 to 70 billion births combines historical data and modern analysis:

Census Data: Regular population counts, starting in the 18th century, provide reliable statistics for many regions.
Vital Records: Detailed birth and death records, especially from the 19th century in Europe and North America, offer precise insights.
Demographic Models: In areas lacking records, experts use models based on fertility rates, life expectancy, and migration to estimate births.

This range reflects the cumulative growth over 500 years, highlighting the modern era’s unprecedented scale.

Detailed Description of the Phase

Phase 4 is defined by rapid progress and global transformation:

Scientific and Medical Breakthroughs: Vaccines, antibiotics, and improved sanitation slashed mortality rates, particularly for infants and children.
Industrial and Technological Revolutions: Mechanization, urbanization, and digital innovations boosted economies and supported larger populations.
Globalization: Trade, migration, and communication linked the world, driving cultural and economic growth.
Demographic Shifts: The global population grew from about 500 million in 1500 CE to over 7.9 billion today, with the sharpest rise in the last century.

Despite setbacks like wars, pandemics, and environmental challenges, this period marks humanity’s most significant expansion. The Phase 4 monument’s towering height embodies this remarkable trajectory.

Significance in the Installation

The Phase 4 monument stands as a bold symbol of humanity’s modern growth within the (un)tradeable installation. Its impressive stature—up to 14.22 meters—contrasts with earlier phases, emphasizing the impact of recent advancements. This structure invites viewers to reflect on the achievements and complexities of the modern era, connecting us to the billions who have lived through this time of profound change.