Binding: Paperback
Description: Since the late 1980s the dominant theory of human origins has been that a 'cognitive revolution (C.50,000 years ago) led to the advent of our species Homo sapiens. As a result of this revolution our species spread and eventually replaced all existing archaic Homo species ultimately leading to the superiority of modern humans. Or so we thought. As Clive Finlayson explains the latest advances in genetics prove that there was significant interbreeding between Modern Humans and the Neanderthals. All non - Africans today carry some Neanderthal genes. We have also discovered aspects of Neanderthal behaviour that indicate that they were not cognitively inferior to modern humans as we once thought and in fact had their own rituals and art. Finlayson who is at the forefront of this research recounts the discoveries of his team providing evidence that Neanderthals caught birds of prey and used their feathers for symbolic purposes. There is also evidence that Neanderthals practised other forms of art as the recently discovered engravings in Gorham's Cave Gibraltar indicate. Linking all the recent evidence The Smart Neanderthal casts a new light on the Neanderthals and the " Cognitive Revolution". Finlayson argues that there was no revolution and instead modern behaviour arose gradually and independently among different populations of Modern Humans and Neanderthals. Some practices were even adopted by Modern Humans from the Neanderthals. Finlayson overturns classic narratives of human origins and raises important questions about who we really are.
Title: The Smart Neanderthal Bird Catching Cave Art And The Cognitive Revolution
Author(s): Finlayson Clive (Director Of The Gibraltar Museum And Director Of The Institute Of Life And Earth Sciences University Of Gibraltar)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Barcode: 9780198797531
Pages: 240 Pages, 10 Black And White Images And 4 Pp Colour Plate Section
Publication Date: 1/12/2022
Category: Early Man