Data underlying the publication: Adaptive adhesive production systems in Zambia

Interviews and observations on traditional adhesive production conducted in four districts of Zambia: Sinazongwe (Southern Province), Mongu (Western province), Kafue (Lusaka province), and Kitwe (Copperbelt province). Fieldwork was carried out in May and August 2022 as part of a multidisciplinary project to develop a method for measuring technological complexity (Ancient Adhesives project). We recorded semi-structured interviews and demonstrations of the production and use of the traditional adhesives. Participants were selected opportunistically based on informal talks with local leaders and other community members in each region. We interviewed 13 participants in Sinazongwe ( n= 6), Mongu (n= 2), Kafue (n = 4), and Kitwe (n = 1) with the help of native speakers of the local languages as interpreters. We obtained permission to conduct the research from the heads of the communities. Efforts were made to interview male and female participants from all ages. We obtained approval for this research from the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics committee of the University of Zambia, the Human Research Ethics Committee of Delft University, and the Natural Heritage Conservation Commission of Zambia. All participants gave their prior verbal and written informed consents for the use of their provided information and images for research purposes. The dataset consists of 198 mp4 files and three xlsx files with video metadata, quotations, and coding system.