On Tools Making Minds: an Archaeological Perspective on Human Cognitive Evolution

What is it about?

Using a model of cognition as extended and enactive, we examine the role of materiality in making minds as exemplified by lithics and writing, forms associated with conceptual thought and meta-awareness of conceptual domains. We address ways in which brain functions may change in response to interactions with material forms, the attributes of material forms that may cause such change, and the spans of time required for neurofunctional reorganization. We also offer three hypotheses for investigating co-influence and change in cognition and material culture. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 785793.

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Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash

Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash