Final answer:
The statement that ancient cultures were static and would have changed very little without foreign interference is false. Cultures evolve through internal development and external interactions, based on unique historical trajectories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'most ancient cultures were culturally static and would have changed very little through time if left to their own devices, without foreign interference' is false. Cultures are dynamic entities that change and evolve over time, even in the absence of external influences. Interaction with other groups, internal development, innovation, and diffusion of ideas and technologies are all factors that contribute to cultural change. The work of anthropologists such as Franz Boas has highlighted the unique historical trajectories of cultures and their development through interaction, rather than isolation. Each culture is affected by both internal dynamics and external influences, leading to a pattern of change specific to that culture's history, environment, and experiences.