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.
Author(s): Clive Finlayson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: 240
City: Oxford
Cover
The Smart Neanderthal: Cave art, bird catching & the cognitive revolution
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Plates
Chapter 1:
NANA AND FLINT
Chapter 2:
NEANDERTHALS AND BIRDS
Chapter 3:
LESSONS FROM THE ARCTIC
Chapter 4:
THE LONG-TAILED DUCK
Chapter 5:
THE WHITE GHOST
Chapter 6:
GIBRALTAR
Chapter 7:
THE DYNAMIC WORLD OF DUNES
Chapter 8:
LAKES AND PLAINS
Chapter 9:
THE GREAT AUK
Chapter 10:
BIG EYES
Chapter 11:
DIGGING IN THE CAVE
Chapter 12:
NEANDERTHAL REAL ESTATE
Chapter 13:
OF SEALS AND LIMPETS
Chapter 14:
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Chapter 15:
THE GOLDEN EAGLE
Chapter 16:
AMBUSHING THE SCAVENGERS
Chapter 17:
THE BIG SIX
Chapter 18:
HOW TO SKIN A VULTURE
Chapter 19:
PIGEONS AND CHOUGHS
Chapter 20:
FEEDING THE VULTURES
Chapter 21:
THE HASHTAG AND THE END OF THE LONG ROAD TO NEANDERTHAL EMANCIPATION
APPENDIX 1: BIRD SPECIES CITED IN THE TEXT
APPENDIX 2: MAMMAL SPECIES CITED IN THE TEXT
ENDNOTES
Chapter 1 Nana and Flint
Chapter 2 Neanderthals and Birds
Chapter 3 Lessons from the Arctic
Chapter 4 The Long-tailed Duck
Chapter 5 The White Ghost
Chapter 6 Gibraltar
Chapter 7 The Dynamic World of Dunes
Chapter 8 Lakes and Plains
Chapter 9 The Great Auk
Chapter 10 Big Eyes
Chapter 11 Digging in the Cave
Chapter 12 Neanderthal Real Estate
Chapter 13 Of Seals and Limpets
Chapter 14 Birds of a Feather
Chapter 15 The Golden Eagle
Chapter 16 Ambushing the Scavengers
Chapter 17 The Big Six
Chapter 18 How to Skin a Vulture
Chapter 19 Pigeons and Choughs
Chapter 21 The Hashtag and the End of the Long Road to Neanderthal Emancipation
FIGURE CREDITS
PLATE CREDITS
INDEX
