Human Evolution

Working Memory: A Cognitive Limit to Non-Human Primate Recursive Thinking Prior to Hominid Evolution

by Dwight Read

published in 'Evolutionary Psychology,' 2008

In this paper I explore the possibility that recursion is not part of the cognitive repertoire of non-human primates... more In this paper I explore the possibility that recursion is not part of the cognitive repertoire of non-human primates such as chimpanzees due to limited working memory capacity.  Multiple lines of data, from nut cracking to the velocity and duration of cognitive development, imply that chimpanzees have a short-term memory size that limits working memory to dealing with two, or at most three, concepts at a time. If so, as a species they lack the cognitive capacity
for recursive thinking to be integrated into systems of social organization and communication. If this limited working memory capacity is projected back to a common ancestor for Pan and Homo, it follows that early hominid ancestors would have had limited working memory capacity. Hence we should find evidence for expansion of working memory capacity during hominid evolution reflected in changes in the products of conceptually framed activities such as stone tool production. Data on the artifacts made by our hominid ancestors support this expansion hypothesis for hominid working memory, thereby leading to qualitative differences between Pan and Homo.

From Behavior to Culture: An Assessment of Cultural Evolution and a New Synthesis

by Dwight Read

published in 'Complexity,' 2003

Three approaches to cultural evolution—sociobiology, dual inheritance, and memes—are reviewed and it is shown that... more Three approaches to cultural evolution—sociobiology, dual inheritance, and memes—are reviewed and it is shown that each makes use of an incomplete notion of what constitutes culture.

The Innovation Innovation

by Dwight Read

Co-authored with David Lane and Sander van der Leeuw

As humans, we are the only species that reflects consciously on our existence and how we came to be. Such musings have... more As humans, we are the only species that reflects consciously on our existence and how we came to be. Such musings have led us to formulate many different scenarios that see us as coming into existence through a creative act by forces outside of ordinary experience. However, within the domain of scientific reasoning, any appeal to such extraordinary forces is excluded.We therefore seek a natural account of how a species as complex as ours, capable of formulating and realizing the widely diverse forms of social systems that we know, could have arisen. Such an account must be embedded in the Darwinian paradigm for evolution, which has been fundamental to our understanding of the way in which biological reproduction can drive change from simpler to more complex biological forms.

THE MISUSE OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL: THE TASMANIAN CASE (REPLY TO HENRICH’S RESPONSE)

by Dwight Read

draft of January 21, 2011

Good application of a mathematical model depends on conformity with empirical observations. Mathematical models based... more Good application of a mathematical model depends on conformity with empirical observations. Mathematical models based on Dual Inheritance Theory and purporting to demonstrate that population size is a primary determinant of the complexity of tool assemblages in hunter-gatherer societies have been proposed despite their obvious contradiction with data from hunter-gatherer groups. One such model has relied on archaeological data from Tasmania for its validation, but has been extensively critiqued. A response to that critique attempts to justify the application of the model to the Tasmania data but does not succeed in so doing and still fails to address the more fundamental problem of disconnect between model prediction and empirical observation. The problem does not lie in the mathematical formulation of the model but the use of an invalid assumption when the model is used to account for variation in the complexity of tool assemblages in hunter-gatherer societies.

Change in the form of evolution: transition from primate to hominid forms of social organization

by Dwight Read

Published in the Journal of Mathematical Sociology 29: 1-24, 2005.

In this paper I sketch a model for the transition from biologically to culturally based forms of social organization.... more In this paper I sketch a model for the transition from biologically to culturally based forms of social organization. The impetus for the transition arises from increased individualization among the non-human primates that can be observed as one moves phylogenetically from the Cercopithecoids and Ceboids (Old and New World monkeys) to the hominoids, especially the African apes. Increased individualization introduced a conflict with coherent and stable social integration that was only resolved among the hominid ancestors to modern Homo sapiens by shifting to a cultural/conceptual, rather than a behavioral/biological, basis for social organization. The shift entailed a change from evolution driven by individual fitness to evolution driven by the structural coherency of a conceptual system for social organization; that is, to selection based on group, rather than individual, level traits. Conceptually the transition depended upon the evolution of mental capacities such as a theory of mind and recursion, both of which are absent or occur only occur in minimal form among the non-human primates.

Biology is only part of the story…

by Dwight Read

Co-authored with Sander van der Leeuw. Published in Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2008 363, 1959-1968

The origins and development of human cognition constitute one of the most interesting questions to which archaeology... more The origins and development of human cognition constitute one of the most interesting questions to which archaeology can contribute today. In this paper, we do so by presenting an overview of the evolution of artefact technology from the maker’s point of view, and linking that development to some hypotheses on the evolution of human cognitive capacity. Our main hypothesis is that these dataindicate that, in the first part of the trajectory, biological limits to cognitive capacity were a major
constraint that limited technology, whereas, in the second part, this biological constraint seems to have been lifted and others have come in its place. But these are modifiable by means of conceptual frameworks that facilitate concept innovation and therefore enable learning, thereby permitting acceleration in the pace of change in technology. In the last part of the paper, we elaborate on some of the consequences of that acceleration.

Foraging society organization: A simple model of a complex transition

by Dwight Read

Published in European Journal of Operational Research 30 (1987] 230-236

The evolutionary development of the hominids that culminated in the appearance of Homo
sapiens included the... more The evolutionary development of the hominids that culminated in the appearance of Homo
sapiens included the subdivision of the species into societies on the basis of culturally, instead of
biologically, constructed differentiation. It is argued that this change must have occurred after the
mental ability to formulate and culturally express conceptual structures of extended relationships
had been biologically introduced, and that intergroup competition within a species provided the
selective impetus for this more complex form of organization. The combination of conceptual
structures for organization at a more extensive scale and the effects of intergroup competition
would lead to a restructuring of the whole species into society like groups.

Thackeray, J. F. and Reynolds, S. (1997). Variability in Plio-Pleistocene climates, habitats, and ungulate biomass in southern Africa. South African Journal of Science Volume 93: 171-172.

by Sally Reynolds

Vrba and deMenocal and Bloemendal have emphasised the importance of climatic change, particularly temperature, in the... more Vrba and deMenocal and Bloemendal have emphasised the importance of climatic change, particularly temperature, in the context of evolution on the African continent within the past 5 million years. There is no doubt that long-term changes in climate would have affected African habitats, which in turn would have affected the distribution and abundance of populations of various mammalian taxa, including ungulates and hominids. In this study we explore relationships between oxygen isotope ratios (as determined from Shackleton's analysis of foraminfera from deep-sea cores), and estimates of ungulate biomass as determined from faunal assemblages from Plio-Pleistocene sites in southern
Africa, using an approach outlined previously. We go further to assess temporal variability in ungulate biomass in terms of changes in habitat, gene pools and hominid evolution.

Bishop, L. C. and Reynolds, S. C. (2000). Fauna from Twin Rivers. In The Middle Stone Age of Zambia: South Central Africa Barham, L. (ed). Bristol: Western Academic and Specialist Press pp 217-222.

by Sally Reynolds

Here we present results of an analysis of faunal remains from Twin Rivers, Zambia recovered during the 1999 field... more Here we present results of an analysis of faunal remains from Twin Rivers, Zambia recovered during the 1999 field season under the direction of Larry Barham. Animal remains from the locality were divided into three provenance groups - A Block, F Block and G Block - and examined for taxonomic and taphonomic information. This information is used to discuss the palaeoecology and site formation of these assemblages. This contribution examines the faunal remains from each assemblage in chronological order of the deposits. The identifications and characteristics ofthe bones from each recovered group of remains are described. The inferences about human behaviour and palaeoenvironment are discussed.

Reynolds, S. C. and Bishop, L. C. (2006). Craniodental variability in fossil and modern Plains zebra (Equus burchellii) from East and southern African Pleistocene sites. In Mashkour, M (ed) Equids in time and space: Proceedings of the International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ), Durham (UK) 23 to 28 August 2002. Oxbow books pp. 49-60.

by Sally Reynolds

The Plains zebra (Equus burchellii Gray 1824) is a widespread equid species, inhabiting a continuous range throughout... more The Plains zebra (Equus burchellii Gray 1824) is a widespread equid species, inhabiting a continuous range throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates geographic and temporal variability in members of E. burchellii from East Africa versus those from southern Africa. Modern variability in cranial and dental morphologies is first assessed by examining metric variation between specimens from the two geographical regions. Second, a comparison is made between modern and fossil equid specimens attributed to E. burchellii from East and southern African Pleistocene (1.8 – 0.01 Ma) sites. Results show that modern southern E. burchellii is larger in overall cranial and dental dimensions than living East African conspecifics, but East African fossils are far larger than modern counterparts living in the same region. Morphological differences observed between fossil
and modern East African E. burchellii may reflect changes in climate in this region, while southern Africa experienced little change in conditions over the last 1.8 million years.

Covenant and Myth: Can Reformed Theology Survive without Adam and Eve

by Karl Hand

Australian eJournal of Theology Vol 19, No 1 (2012)

Reformed theology is a diverse movement, and has found many ways to interact with the presence of mythical stories in... more Reformed theology is a diverse movement, and has found many ways to interact with the presence of mythical stories in scripture. There is a strong tendency, however, to draw a 'line in the sand' at the historical existence of Adam because of the function that he plays in the history of the covenants - particularly the 'covenant of works'. This article problematises that line by suggesting that it is possible to build an authentically Reformed and covenantal theology without a historical Adam.

Early hominins, utterance-activity, and niche construction

by Stephen J. Cowley

This commentary addresses issues in Falk’s “Prelinguistic communication in hominins: Whence motherese?” http://bortfeld.psy.uconn.edu/UCONNWeb/Bortfeld_BBS2004.pdf

It appeared as:
Cowley, S.J. (2004). Early hominins, utterance-activity and niche construction. Commentary on Falk, D. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 27, 509-510

In line with mainstream linguistics, Falk assumes that language is based in knowledge of words. Specifically, we are... more In line with mainstream linguistics, Falk assumes that language is based in knowledge of words. Specifically, we are attributed with a genetic propensity for identifying, storing and producing verbal patterns. By challenging the assumption, I suggest that the positive thesis be brought in line with behavioural ecology. Specifically, seen as part of niche-construction, “putting the baby” down can engender skills in modulating how we speak and move; by extension, it is a possible basis for gaining the fine control over phonetic gestures that is necessary to language.

Misyurov D.A. Dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas // Credo New. 2012. №2

by Dmitry Misyurov

The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with... more The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with dominant and the non-dominant elements; universal formula; formula with symbolic weight of elements; tautological formula. For example, it suggests an opportunity to use the dialectical formulas for modeling and artificial intelligence creation, etc.

Engineering love

by Brian Earp

Savulescu, J. and Sandberg, A. (2012). Love machine: Engineering lifelong romance. New Scientist, 2864, 28-29.

Essay partially adapted from Earp, B. D., Sandberg, A., and Savulescu, J. (2012). Natural selection, childrearing, and the ethics of marriage (and divorce): Building a case for the neuroenhancement of human relationships. Philosophy & Technology, forthcoming [see "profile" box in article].

Available at the New Scientist website: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html

New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks... more New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks like we may be outliving our inborn capacity to love. But there could be a way to outwit evolution and make love last.

Also available at New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html.

After the dispersal of hominins from Africa, did Homo erectus evolve into archaic Homo sapiens there or in Asia? An investigation into climate, fossil and technological distribution.

by Richard Hughes

Undergraduate dissertation. Draft only.

The debate over whether Africa was the sole home of hominin species (excepting Homo neanderthalensis and Homo... more The debate over whether Africa was the sole home of hominin species (excepting Homo neanderthalensis and Homo floresiensis) is not completely won (Dennell, 2009: 466). Homo erectus (sensu lato) is often thought to be the first species to have left Africa and entered Asia (Langbroek, 2004: 11; Klein, 2005: 102), with occasional discussions on earlier hominids (such as australopithecines) having made this symbolic breakthrough (Templeton, 2002: 48; Dennell and Roebroeks, 2005: 1100). The role of climate has often been used to discuss the emergence of a particular species, however it has been less discussed when approaching why a species – (Homo erectus) – may have evolved into a new species – (Homo heidelbergensis) – on one continent, whilst seemingly persisting for a large period of time on another, with little change to its skeletal morphology.
Homo erectus became ubiquitous (Bonnefille, 2010: 408) across a number of environments across Africa and Asia, from high plateau to sea level, temperate to tropical, desert to rainforest as well as persisting from c.1.7 Ma to maybe c. 60 Ka (Klein, 2005: 106). The emergence of this species is believed to have been triggered by climatic changes c. 1.8 Ma, as was its dispersal across the old world (or before) (Bar Yosef, 1998: 267; Clark, 1998: 437). Ultimately, the equation for hominin occupation and survival across the earth required access to water, food and stone (Dennell, 2009: 476).

Grandmothering and Female Coalitions: A Basis for Matrilineal Priority?

by Kit (Christopher) Opie

Kit Opie and Camilla Power (2008). Grandmothering and Female Coalitions: A Basis for Matrilineal Priority? Early Human Kinship: From Sex to Social Reproduction. N. J. Allen, H. Callan, R. I. M. Dunbar and W. James. Oxford, Blackwell.

Insights into the Evolution of Primate Protein Expression through Comparative Proteomics

by Naim Matasci

Doctoral Dissertation, University of Leipzig (Germany), 2009

Advances in molecular techniques allowed evolutionary biologists to look for signatures of adaptive events in the... more Advances in molecular techniques allowed evolutionary biologists to look for signatures of adaptive events in the genome and transcriptome of our species. However, the quest to link genetic changes to adaptive phenotypic differences is hampered by the observation that the majority of the molecular differences observed between human and its closely related species is not the result of adaptive processes, but of the continuous random fixation of neutral alleles, which bear no effect on the fitness of their carriers. Proteins are the natural next level to look for the molecular signatures of past adaptations because proteins are closer to the phenotype, which is under direct selective pressure.
In this thesis I study the mode of evolution of protein expression and localization by comparative proteomics. Using tissue microarrays and polyclonal antibodies, I analyzed 79 proteins in 48 cell types in humans and in rhesus macaques.
Results indicate widespread qualitative differences between the two species with as much as 25% of all cell type × antibody comparisons showing protein expression in one species and lack of detection in the other. Furthermore, proteins that changed in their expression levels most between species are also the ones that differ most within species. This effect is dependent upon the breadth of expression, with proteins expressed in a limited number of tissues displaying little change and proteins ubiquitously expressed showing either large changes or small changes, depending on their function. These results conform to expectations that can be derived from the (nearly) neutral theory of molecular evolution, indicating that, like DNA sequence and gene expression levels, protein levels overall also evolve according to that model.

In Defense of the Extraordinary in Religious Belief

by Gary Williams

draft only

Plantas enteogénicas, chamanismo y la evolución de la mente, parte II

by José Manuel Rodríguez

Rodríguez, J.M. 2010. Plantas enteogénicas, chamanismo y la evolución de la mente, parte 2. Semanario Universidad, No. 1876: 20 Opinión.

Plantas enteogénicas, chamanismo y la evolución de la mente, parte I

by José Manuel Rodríguez

Rodríguez, J.M. 2010. Plantas enteogénicas, chamanismo y la evolución de la mente, parte 1. Semanario Universidad, No. 1851: 23 Opinión.