Seriation algorithms for determining the evolution of \textit{The Star Husband Tale} (Q381222)

Seriation techniques are used (e.g. in archeology) to order objects chronologically. The authors apply seriation techniques in studying the geographical spread of the North America folklore tale known as the Star Husband Tale. They use a spectral algorithm from \textit{J. E. Atkin} et al. [SIAM J. Comput. 28, No. 1, 297--310 (1998; Zbl 0930.05064)] and show that one can track the tale's progression in a way that matches the geographical proximity of the tribes telling this tale.