Global ETD Search

11	The effects of latitude on hominin social network maintenance Pearce, Eiluned H. January 2013 (has links) Social networks have been essential throughout hominin evolution, facilitating cooperative childrearing, transmission of cultural knowledge and the sharing of information and resources. As hominins dispersed out of Africa, these networks needed to be maintained at progressively higher latitudes. The first part of this thesis explores the impact of latitude on brain organisation and the possible implications for social cognition. I hypothesise that the lower temperatures and light levels found at higher latitudes select for larger bodies and visual systems, which in turn necessitate larger somatic and visual brain areas. Using orbit size to index eye and visual cortex size, I demonstrate a robust positive relationship between absolute latitude and orbit volume in recent humans. I show that Neanderthals, who solely inhabited high latitudes, have significantly larger orbits than contemporary anatomically modern humans (AMH), who evolved in lower latitude Africa and had only relatively recently dispersed into higher latitudes. Since Neanderthals and AMH dated 27-75kya have almost identical endocranial volumes, I argue that if a greater proportion of the Neanderthal brain was required for somatic and visual processing, this would reduce the volume of neural tissue available for other functions. Since, according to the Social Brain Hypothesis, neocortex volume is positively associated with social complexity, I propose that Neanderthals might have been limited to smaller social networks than AMH. The second part of the thesis explores the challenge of maintaining social networks across greater geographic distances at higher latitudes, where high travelling costs seem to prevent whole tribes from bonding during periodic aggregations. Using a gas model I predict that at lower latitudes daily subsistence mobility allows sufficient encounters between subgroups for the tribe to maintain connectivity, whereas in (Sub)Arctic biomes additional mechanisms are required to facilitate tribal cohesion. This may explain the apparent ‘explosion’ of Upper Palaeolithic art in Europe: symbolic representations allowed social ties to be sustained in the absence of frequent face-to-face contact. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that latitude may influence both brain organisation and cultural expression and argues that both can have a substantial impact on the maintenance of hominin social networks at high latitudes. 304.2
12	All in Good Time: Exploring Change in Neanderthal Behavioural Complexity Langley, Michelle Unknown Date (has links) Since their discovery 150 years ago, Neanderthals have been considered incapable of behavioural change and innovation. Traditional synchronic approaches to the study of Neanderthal behaviour have perpetuated this view and shaped our understanding of their lifeways and eventual extinction. In this thesis I implement an innovative diachronic approach to the analysis of Neanderthal faunal extraction, technology and symbolic behaviour as contained in the archaeological record of the critical period between 80,000 and 30,000 years BP. The thesis demonstrates patterns of change in Neanderthal behaviour which are at odds with traditional perspectives and which are consistent with an interpretation of increasing behavioural complexity over time, an idea that has been suggested but never thoroughly explored in Neanderthal archaeology. Demonstrating an increase in behavioural complexity in Neanderthals provides much needed new data with which to fuel the debate over the behavioural capacities of Neanderthals and the first appearance of Modern Human Behaviour in Europe. It supports the notion that Neanderthal populations were active agents of behavioural innovation prior to the arrival of Anatomically Modern Humans in Europe and, ultimately, that they produced an early Upper Palaeolithic cultural assemblage (the Châtelperronian) independent of modern humans. Overall, this thesis provides an initial step towards the development of a quantitative approach to measuring behavioural complexity which provides fresh insights into the cognitive and behavioural capabilities of Neanderthals. archaeology Neanderthals Modern Human Behaviour complexity faunal analysis stone artefacts symbolic behaviour
13	Late Pleistocene Hunter-Gatherer Settlement and Ecology of the Romanian Carpathians and Adjacent Areas January 2015 (has links) abstract: Despite nearly five decades of archaeological research in the Romanian Carpathian basin and adjacent areas, how human foragers organized their stone artifact technologies under varying environmental conditions remains poorly understood. Some broad generalizations have been made; most work in the region is concerned primarily with descriptive and definitional issues rather than efforts to explain past human behavior or human-environmental interactions. Modern research directed towards understanding human adaptation to different environments remains in its infancy. Grounded in the powerful conceptual framework of evolutionary ecology and utilizing recent methodological advances, this work has shown that shifts in land-use strategies changes the opportunities for social and biological interaction among Late Pleistocene hominins in western Eurasia, bringing with it a plethora of important consequences for cultural and biological evolution. I employ, in my Dissertation, theoretical and methodological advances derived from human behavioral ecology (HBE) and lithic technology organization to show how variability in lithic technology can explain differences in technoeconomic choices and land-use strategies of Late Pleistocene foragers in Romanian Carpathians Basin and adjacent areas. Set against the backdrop of paleoenvironmental change, the principal questions I addressed are whether or not technological variation at the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic can account for fundamental changes at its end. The analysis of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic strata, from six archaeological sites, shows that the lithic industries were different not because of biocultural differences in technological organization, landuse strategies, and organizational flexibility. Instead the evidence suggests that technoeconomic strategies, the intensity of artifact curation and how foragers used the land appear to have been more closely related to changing environmental conditions, task-specific activities, and duration of occupation. This agrees well with the results of studies conducted in other areas and with those predicted from theoretically-derived models based on evolutionary ecology. My results lead to the conclusion that human landuse effectively changes the environment of selection for hominins and their lithic technologies, an important component of the interface between humans and the natural world. Foragers move across the landscape in comparable ways in very different ecological settings, cross-cutting both biological morphotypes and prehistorian-defined analytical units. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2015 Archaeology Carpathian Basin Human Behavioral Ecology Late Pleistocene Lithic technology Modern Humans Neanderthals
14	Contributions of Biogeochemistry to Understanding Hominin Dietary Ecology. Lee-Thorp, Julia A., Sponheimer, M.B. January 2006 (has links) No / Dietary ecology is one key to understanding the biology, lifeways, and evolutionary pathways of many animals. Determining the diets of long-extinct hominins, however, is a considerable challenge. Although archaeological evidence forms a pillar of our understand-ing of diet and subsistence in the more recent past, for early hominins, the most direct evidence is to be found inthe fossils themselves. Here we review the suite of emerging biochemical paleodietary tools based on stable isotopeand trace element archives within fossil calcified tissues.We critically assess their contribution to advancing our understanding of australopith, early Homo, and Neander-thal diets within the broader context of non-biogeochemical techniques for dietary reconstruction, such as mor-phology and dental microwear analysis. The most signifi-cant outcomes to date are the demonstration of hightrophic-level diets among Neanderthals and Late Pleistocene modern humans in Glacial Europe, and the persis-tent inclusion of C4 grass-related foods in the diets of Plio¿Pleistocene hominins in South Africa. Such studies clearly show the promise of biogeochemical techniques for testing hypotheses about the diets of early hominins.Nevertheless, we argue that more contextual data from modern ecosystem and experimental studies are needed if we are to fully realize their potential. Fossil teeth Stable isotopes of carbon Nitrogen Trace elements Dental morphology Australopiths Homo Neanderthals Oxygen Microwear
15	Hypercémentose : définition, classification et fréquence : apport des résultats à la lignée néandertalienne / Hypercementosis : definition, classification and frequency : application of the these results to the neanderthal line Incau, Emmanuel d' 12 November 2012 (has links) Le terme « cément » est utilisé pour désigner l’ensemble des tissus conjonctifs minéralisés retrouvés sur la surface externe de la racine d’une dent ainsi que sur certaines zones de l’émail ou au niveau du foramen apical. Il appartient à deux unités fonctionnelles : la dent et le parodonte et constitue avec l’os alvéolaire un point d’attache essentiel du ligament alvéolo-dentaire. Dans certaines conditions non encore élucidées la synthèse de l’une de ses variétés, le cément cellulaire mixte stratifié, est excessive, elle dépasse la « normalité » : il s’agit d’une hypercémentose. Une revue critique de la littérature nous a permis de mettre en évidence un certain nombre de problématiques concernant sa définition, sa classification, sa fréquence, ses étiologies et certaines de ses caractéristiques anatomiques. Afin d’y répondre nous avons élaboré un protocole d’étude dont le matériel comprenait trois séries d’Hommes sub-actuels (675 individus ; 8861 dents dont 419 hypercémentosées) et dont les méthodes ont fait appel à la photographie, la radiographie, la stéréomicroscopie, la microscopie électronique à balayage et l’histologie. Au terme de notre étude nous avons mis au point une définition et une classification de l’hypercémentose reposant sur des critères reproductibles, nous avons évalué sa fréquence au sein de grands échantillons et déterminé ses principales étiologies (éruption continue liée à la perte des dents antagonistes, parodontite apicale, atteintes parodontales, inclusion dentaire, pathologies générales, syndromes génétiques, hérédité, idiopathie). Nous avons également fourni certaines données inédites concernant les épaisseurs du cément hyperplasique et l’anatomie des foramens apicaux. Nos résultats ont enfin été appliqué à un certain nombre de dents néandertaliennes ce qui nous a permis de reconsidérer l’hypothèse selon laquelle l’importance des contraintes occlusales au sein de ce taxon est la cause principale des hypercémentoses. / The term "cement" is used to refer to all mineralised connective tissue found on the external surface of the root of a tooth and also on certain areas of the enamel or around the apical foramen. It pertains to two functional units, the tooth and the periodontium, and together with the alveolar bone forms an essential point of attachment for the periodontal ligament. In certain conditions that have still to be clarified, synthesis of one variety of cement, cellular mixed stratified cementum, is excessive, going beyond "normal" levels: this is hypercementosis. From a review of the literature, we identified a certain number of questions relating to the definition, classification, frequency, and etiologies of this term, and also to some of its anatomical characteristics. To find answers to these questions, we set up a study protocol on material consisting of three series of modern Humans (675 individuals; 8,861 teeth, 419 with hypercementosis), using photography, radiography, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and histology techniques. From this we were able to produce a definition and a classification of hypercementosis based on reproducible criteria, we assessed frequency using a large set of samples and determined the main etiologies (continuous eruption associated with the loss of opposing teeth, apical periodontitis, periodontal injuries, dental inclusion, general pathologies, genetic syndromes, heredity, idiopathy). We were also able to provide new data on hyperplastic cement thicknesses and the anatomy of apical foramens. Finally, our results were applied to a number of Neanderthal teeth, which led us to reconsider the hypothesis according to which the importance of occlusal stress in this taxon is the main cause of hypercementosis. Hypercémentose Cément Néandertaliens Anthropologie dentaire Éruption continue Parodontite apicale Maladie de Paget Goitre thyroïdien Acromégalie Hypercementosis Cementum Neanderthals Dental anthropology Continuous eruption Apical periodontitis Paget's disease Thyroid goiter Acromegaly
16	The Emergence of Symbolically Mediated Behavior in Eastern Europe / L’émergence de comportement symbolique en Europe de l’Est Majkic, Ana 08 December 2017 (has links) Différents modèles ont été proposés pour expliquer l’émergence de capacités cognitives complexes et de cultures modernes. Un nombre croissant de preuves révélant un comportement complexe et innovant au moyen Age de la Pierre en Afrique, mais aussi dans les cultures néandertaliennes, ont déclenché plusieurs changements de paradigme dans ce domaine au cours des dernières décennies. Une grande partie du matériel potentiellement pertinent pour ce domaine doit encore être documenté et étudié dans l'optique d’évaluer son importance et implication dans le débat sur les origines du comportement symbolique (SMB). L’Europe de l’Est (EE) en est un bon exemple. Bien que de découvertes aient été faites en EE, le matériel archéologique pertinent pour l’étude des origines du comportement moderne n’est généralement pas systématiquement et spécifiquement traité comme tel. Cette thèse représente une tentative globale de documenter et d’évaluer ce matériel, permettant une vue plus claire de la disponibilité de preuves potentiellement pertinentes, comme première étape nécessaire pour comprendre le temps et le mode d’émergence des SMB dans ces régions. Accompagnée d'une base de données décrivant les annales archéologiques, la thèse présente trois études de cas présentant l'analyse des objets ayant des implications pour l’émergence de comportements complexes en EE. Ces études élargissent la vision de l’émergence du SMB en EE. Elles identifient de nouvelles preuves de comportement complexe avant l’UP à partir d’une vaste région encore sous-représentée et apportent de nouvelles approches méthodologiques à leur analyse, contribuant ainsi à l’évaluation des modèles sur l’émergence du SMB. / A number of different models has been proposed to explain the emergence of complex cognitive abilities and cultures comparable to ours. A growing body of evidence revealing complex and innovative behavior in African MSA, but also in Neanderthal cultures, triggered several paradigmatic shifts in this field during the past decades. A lot of the possibly relevant material still needs to be documented and evaluated in order to assess its significance and implications it may have for the debate on the origins of symbolically mediated behavior (SMB). Eastern Europe (EE) represents a case in point. Although potentially relevant discoveries have been made, the archaeological material pertinent for the study of origins of modern behavior and culture generally is not systematically and specifically addressed as such. This dissertation represents an integrated attempt to document and evaluate such material, allowing a more balanced view of the availability of potentially relevant evidence from EE, necessary to understand the time and mode of the emergence of SMB in these regions. Along a database outlining possibly relevant archaeological record, the dissertation presents three specific case studies reporting the results of analysis of the objects bearing implications for the emergence of complex, possibly symbolic behavior in EE. The case studies that form a core of the dissertation broaden the view of the emergence of SMB in EE. They identify new evidence of complex behavior pre-dating the UP from a vast, usually underrepresented region, and bring new methodological approaches to their analysis, contributing thus to the evaluation of the models on the emergence of SMB. Europe de l'Est Paléolithique Moyen Moustérien Crimée Neandertal Comportement symbolique Première expressions graphique Eastern Europe Middle Paleolithic Mousterian Crimea Neanderthals Symbolic behavior Early graphic expression
17	Neanderthal genome sequencing : A genetic research study / Neandertal genom sekvensering : En genetisk forskningsstudie Uhr, Susanna January 2023 (has links) The aim of this study is to provide information regarding the development of aDNA research. The essay also strives to distinguish eventual impact on previous and contemporary conceptions concerning Neanderthal and modern human genetic divergence and possible interbreeding between the two species. Relatively recent Neanderthal genetic research will provide a glimpse into future explorations. Hominin species, other than Neanderthals, will be excluded from this paper as well as morphological studies and modern human evolution theories. Nature, Cell, Science, American anthropologist are examples of important publications constituting the study’s source material generated through the mandatory literature search. Genetic data results reveal genetic divergence between Neanderthals and modern humans approximately around 270 000 to 440 000 years ago or 550 000 to 765 000 years ago. The estimations for genetic divergence continue to alter with the advent of additional data. Contemporaneous genomic data results show interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans which contradict some prior perceptions surrounding the subject. New engendered Neanderthal genomic data indicate further exploration concerning the Neanderthal inherited genes effect on modern day human biology and physiology. / Syftet med denna studie är att delge informativ upplysning kring utvecklingen av aDNA forskning. Uppsatsen strävar även efter att urskilja eventuell påverkan på föregående och nuvarande uppfattningar angående genetisk splittring mellan Neandertalare och moderna människor och möjlig korsning mellan de två arterna. Relativt ny genetisk Neandertal forskning kommer att ge en inblick i framtida utforskningar. Andra homininer, undantagsvis för Neandertalarna, kommer att exkluderad från denna uppsats liksom morfologiska studier och teorier kring den moderna människans evolution. Nature, Cell, Science, American anthropologist är exempel på viktiga publiceringar som utgör studiens källmaterial vilket genererats genom den obligatoriska litteratursökningen. Genetiska data resultat visar genetisk splittring mellan Neandertalare och moderna människor proximalt kring 270 000 till 440 000 år sedan eller 550 000 till 765 000 år sedan. Beräkningarna för genetisk splittring ändras kontinuerligt på grund av ankomsten av nytillkommande data. Nya genomiska data resultat visar korsning mellan Neandertalare och moderna människor vilket motsäger en del föregående föreställningar kring ämnet. Ny framställd Neandertal genomiska data indikerar vidare utforskning av de ärvda Neandertal genernas möjliga påverkan på den moderna människans biologi och fysiologi. aDNA genome sequencing method progression Neanderthals modern humans genetic divergence interbreeding aDNA genom sekvensering metodutveckling Neandertalare moderna människor genetisk splittring korsning Genetics Genetik Archaeology Arkeologi
18	Gemensamma Symboliska Beteenden Och Interaktioner Mellan Neanderthalare Och H. Sapiens Karlsson, Julia January 2022 (has links) The behaviours that the Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sapiens had in common could have made their interaction more advanced and deeper. Ever since Richard E. Green et al’s discovery in 2010 that a lot of the modern day population have inherited about 1-4 % of the genome from Neanderthals, the assumption that Neanderthals are primitive beings lacking advanced cognition has changed. For H. Sapiens to interbreed with Neanderthals one could argue that they could not have been that dissimilar. Since the modern day population inherited parts of the Neanderthals it could be very interesting to bring more insight into how their relationship and interaction would have looked in relation to H. Sapiens. In this thesis some behaviours will be analysed and compared that existed among them both. In this remark it will be about behaviors of a symbolic nature, indicating a more advanced thinking. These are the usage of personal ornaments, the burial practice, and lastly language and speech. The personal ornaments they used are in some instances very similar, but there is also variation in what they put value in as personal ornaments, later H. Sapiens put a lot of energy into making beads of different types, and Neanderthals having a focus on birds of prey. The burial practice is in general nothing that is too common among either of them during the middle palaeolithic or African Middle stone age. Before the upper palaeolithic there is not too much evidence indicating that they had a tradition of burying their dead. In cases they did bury their dead there is evidence of places with multiple burials, maybe working as grave centers. The anatomical capacities for speech existed among them both. When it comes to language it is harder to discern, since it does not fossilise, but since language is symbolic it could be argued that evidence of symbolism among them could indicate that they had language as well. In the discussion and conclusions it is argued that these common behaviours could have made it possible for a more advanced interaction and relationship between the two. Interactions interaction Homo Neanderthalensis H. Neanderthalensis Neanderthals Neanderthal Relationship grave material Gravepractise personal ornaments language speech language capabilities genome neanderthal genome neandertal genome DNA genetic Symbolism symboliskt tänkande arkeologi interaktioner människoarter neanderthalare neandertalare moderna människor anatomiskt moderna människor h. sapiens homo sapiens homo sapiens sapiens gravskick gravpraxis personliga ornament smycken språk talmöjligheter talförmåga tal relationer gener arv släktskap genom DNA NeandertalDNA Neandertalgenom arvsmassa från neandertalare arvsmassa Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Archaeology Arkeologi

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