The expert Neandertal mind.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive neuropsychology
• Cognitive anthropology
• Cognitive archaeology

Background:

• Neandertal cognition is explored by integrating insights from cognitive neuropsychology, anthropology, and archaeology.
• Understanding Neandertal problem-solving and cognitive abilities is key to interpreting their behavior and material record.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a comprehensive model of Neandertal cognition.
• To investigate the role of long-term working memory in Neandertal problem-solving.
• To compare Neandertal working memory capacity with that of modern humans.

Main Methods:

• Synthesizing findings from cognitive neuropsychology, cognitive anthropology, and cognitive archaeology.
• Analyzing archaeological evidence to infer cognitive processes.
• Applying models of working memory to Neandertal cognitive capabilities.

Main Results:

• Neandertal problem-solving was centered on expert performance enabled by long-term working memory, indicating a modern scope in this cognitive domain.
• Neandertal working memory capacity, the ability to maintain information in active attention, might have been less extensive than in modern humans.
• This difference in working memory capacity may explain the observed rarity of innovation in the archaeological record.

Conclusions:

• Neandertal cognition possessed modern-like problem-solving abilities centered on expert performance.
• Limited working memory capacity could be a key factor distinguishing Neandertal cognition from that of modern humans.
• This cognitive profile offers insights into Neandertal personality and behavioral patterns, such as innovation rates.