Stone Tools and the Evolution of Human Cognition.

Nowell, April, and Iain Davidson.

ISBN 10: 1607320304 / ISBN 13: 9781607320302

Published by University Press of Colorado, Boulder, Colo., 2010

About this Item

viii + 234 pp. dj. Rubber-stamped on front free endpaper.

Seller Inventory # 34468

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Stone Tools and the Evolution of Human Cognition.
• Publisher: University Press of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1607320304
• ISBN 13: 9781607320302
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Book Type: book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Anthropology

About this title

Synopsis

Stone tools are the most durable and common type of archaeological remain and one of the most important sources of information about behaviors of early hominins. Stone Tools and the Evolution of Human Cognition develops methods for examining questions of cognition, demonstrating the progression of mental capabilities from early hominins to modern humans through the archaeological record. Dating as far back as 2.5-2.7 million years ago, stone tools were used in cutting up animals, woodworking, and preparing vegetable matter. Today, lithic remains give archaeologists insight into the forethought, planning, and enhanced working memory of our early ancestors. Contributors focus on multiple ways in which archaeologists can investigate the relationship between tools and the evolving human mind--including joint attention, pattern recognition, memory usage, and the emergence of language. Offering a wide range of approaches and diversity of place and time, the chapters address issues such as skill, social learning, technique, language, and cognition based on lithic technology. Stone Tools and the Evolution of Human Cognition will be of interest to Paleolithic archaeologists and paleoanthropologists interested in stone tool technology and cognitive evolution.

About the Author

April Nowell is an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Victoria. Iain Davidson is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.