| Artefacts of apes, humans, and others: towards comparative assessment and analysis. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 19740522 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
This paper explores issues of technology and artefacts in a comparative cross-species frame, using archaeological examples and modern data sets to illustrate points about process and content. It develops the argument that regardless of species, artefacts have a special significance as external projections of the mind, often necessitating cognitive judgements on the basis of several variables and subject to influences by cultural tradition, functional needs, and raw materials. In humans, apes, and other tool using animals, behaviour overlaps in some respects and is vastly different in others. Overlapping aspects are worth seeking out and exploiting, as they provide opportunities to investigate factors influencing variation and to gain insights into cognition. Recent primatological research establishes much more foundation for continuity, but many of the details of artefacts and their variation remain to be explored. This paper presents case studies of variability and standardisation that suggest the limits on variation are as tight in some chimpanzee produced artefacts as in many produced by humans, and functional constraints appear to operate more strongly on some parts of artefacts than others. Thus, degree of standardisation cannot be used as a simple index to 'refinement,' but the widespread overlap in standardisation between human and nonhuman artefacts greatly expands the scope for study. |
| | |
Authors:
|
J A J Gowlett |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-09-08 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of human evolution Volume: 57 ISSN: 1095-8606 ISO Abbreviation: J. Hum. Evol. Publication Date: 2009 Oct |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2009-10-23 Completed Date: 2010-01-13 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0337330 Medline TA: J Hum Evol Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 401-10 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
British Academy Centenary Project, SACE (School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology), University of Liverpool, L69 3GS, UK. gowlett@liv.ac.uk |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Animals Artifacts* Biology / trends Concept Formation Crows / physiology Culture Equipment Design Evolution Hominidae / physiology* Humans Knowledge Pan troglodytes / physiology Species Specificity |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: The evolution and cultural transmission of percussive technology: integrating evidence from palaeoan...
Next Document: Estimation of personal NO(2) exposure in a cohort of pregnant women.