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Cognitive archeology, technological evolution, and the current agenda for extended cognition
1Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Cognitive Neuroscience
|November 7, 2025
Summary
Humans possess a unique prosthetic ability, integrating tools into cognition via fronto-parietal and working memory networks. Further research in cognitive archaeology is needed to understand this evolutionary trait and its potential risks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Archaeology
Background:
- Humans exhibit a specialized "prosthetic ability" for tool integration into cognition.
- This ability is linked to the fronto-parietal system, working memory, and embodiment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the evolutionary basis of human technological extension.
- To define key concepts and outline experimental approaches for cognitive archaeology.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of cognitive and evolutionary frameworks.
- Proposal for experimental approaches in cognitive archaeology.
Main Results:
- Identified the fronto-parietal system and working memory network as crucial for technological extension.
- Highlighted the role of embodiment and the need for refined definitions.
Conclusions:
- Human technological ability is an evolved trait shaped by natural selection.
- Further investigation is required to understand its neural underpinnings and evolutionary trajectory.
- Acknowledged potential risks associated with this ability.
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