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What would be pre-modern human cognition?
1Department of Anthropology, University of California Los Angeles, San Clemente, CA, USA nickbj@ucla.edu.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|January 14, 2025
Summary
Absence of evidence in hunter-gatherer artifacts does not mean absence. A single "human cognitive capacity" difference between modern and earlier humans needs re-examination.
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Paleoanthropology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The interpretation of archaeological findings, particularly from hunter-gatherer societies, is often influenced by assumptions about cognitive abilities.
- The concept of a singular, monolithic
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the assumption of a uniform "human cognitive capacity" across different hominin periods.
- To advocate for a more nuanced interpretation of archaeological evidence, especially concerning hunter-gatherer artifacts.
Main Methods:
- Re-evaluation of existing archaeological data and interpretations.
- Critical analysis of the concept of a singular "human cognitive capacity".
Main Results:
- Demonstration that the absence of evidence for certain behaviors or technologies in the archaeological record does not equate to their non-existence.
- Highlighting the potential for misinterpretation when assuming modern human cognitive frameworks for past populations.
Conclusions:
- The principle "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" is crucial for understanding hunter-gatherer pasts.
- The notion of a distinct, singular "human cognitive capacity" separating modern humans from earlier forms requires rigorous scientific scrutiny and re-evaluation.
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