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Mobile containers in human cognitive evolution studies: Understudied and underrepresented.

Michelle C Langley¹, Thomas Suddendorf²

¹Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

Evolutionary Anthropology

|August 4, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mobile carrying devices like bags and boxes are crucial for human cognitive development. This study examines archaeological evidence for early containers, revealing their importance in understanding human evolution and behavior.

Keywords:

bags foresight long-distance transport organic material culture planning slings

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Area of Science:

Archaeology
Human Evolution
Cognitive Science

Background:

Mobile carrying devices (slings, bags, boxes) are ubiquitous in modern human societies.
The cognitive implications of these containers, particularly foresight, are often overlooked in human evolution studies.
The exact origin of mobile carrying devices in human history remains unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the archaeological evidence for mobile carrying devices during the Pleistocene epoch.
To highlight the significance of these devices in understanding the development of human cognitive and cultural behaviors.
To address the underrepresentation of mobile containers in human evolution research.

Main Methods:

Review of current archaeological findings related to Pleistocene-era mobile containers.
Analysis of artifactual evidence for the use and manufacture of carrying devices.
Interpretation of taphonomic factors influencing the preservation of such artifacts.

Main Results:

Discussion of available archaeological evidence for early mobile containers.
Identification of lines of evidence linking these devices to cognitive and cultural advancements.
Acknowledgement of taphonomic challenges in identifying early carrying devices.

Conclusions:

Mobile carrying devices played a significant role in the evolution of human cognition and culture.
Further research into archaeological evidence of these devices is crucial for understanding human behavioral development.
The study underscores the need for increased attention to mobile containers in the field of human evolution.