Lec 03 Flashcards
(10 cards)
What was the landmark for humans until about 20 yrs ago?
Tools
Which species of Apes was named based on its usage of tools? Was it unique physically?
Homo Habilis, no.
Nut-cracking? (4)
Normally female, 20:1 ratio
Shows W. African apes transmitting skills to young
Done only with close family.
Takes over 7yrs to get more proficient at nut-cracking.
Was tool usage human created? When did it come about?
No, rather inherited through the phylogenetic tree.
Most sources say 7mya b/c of evolution timeline, BUT, SE. Asia says 14mya
Why did Ape cognitive intelligence evolve?
To look for food, obtain foodstuff and process food.
Complexity + other feeding strategies could have been driving factors for tool development.
Why did Primate tool usage evolve?
- To retrieve highly nutritious food
- Diversify diet
- Access fallback foods
- Strengthen social bomds
ex. Termite fishing (not all species did this)
Two factors that distinguish humans from Great Apes?
- Culture for adaptation
- higher desire for meat consumption
The Study of W. African Chimpanzees shows what?
- Chimpanzees exploit 5 species of nuts: using stone tools EXCLUSIVELY for hard-kernel nuts.
- Stone and nuts are collected from one site and brought to another site (anvils)
- > 100 nuts cracked a day = >3000 kcals.
Excavation of “Panda 100” Site?
- Chimps left around ‘refuse’, similar to garbage, this garbage is used by archaeologists to dig and study them.
- Anvil/hammer rocks showcased that a lot of strength was necessary to crack nuts.
- Stone flaking was unintentional
- activity areas indicated by constant ‘refuse’ being left scattered in different areas.
Commonalities w/ Early Human Sites
- Stone sourcing + movement
- use of local stone sources (10km)
- Stone selection (size, weight, etc)
- Focal points are reoccupied
- site formation
- activity areas
