Hello
A recurring thought I have had during the Summer of Protocols readings is whether protocols can meaningfully emerge & evolve outside of software / blockchain systems; purely through social or cultural practices without ever being formally codified in writing / code. 
For instance; certain indigenous governance systems, long-standing neighborhood conflict-resolution practices / informal barter economies seem to follow consistent “rules” over generations; yet lack a formal specification. 
Are these still protocols in the SoP sense? Or do we require codification, replicability / machine readability for something to qualify as a “protocol”? This brings up an edge case: how do we meaningfully study / document emergent, unwritten protocols that influence behavior but remain fluid and adaptive by design? Checked Research - Summer of Protocols with CSM Online Course guide related to this and found it quite informative.
Would love to hear thoughts; especially from those working in anthropology, informal systems, or experimental governance. Are there frameworks to track these kinds of protocols? Could “protocol archeology” be a viable field?
Thank you !! 