From individual neurons to social brains

Matthew Grove

(2008)

Matthew Grove (2008) From individual neurons to social brains. Cambridge Archaeological Journal , 18 (3). pp. 387-400. ISSN 0959-7743

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Abstract

The manufacture of stone tools is an integral part of the human evolutionary trajectory. However, very little research is directed towards the social and cognitive context of the process of manufacture. This paper aims to redress this balance by using insights from contemporary neuroscience. Addressing successively more inclusive levels of analysis, we will argue that the relevant unit of analysis when examining the interface between archaeology and neuroscience is not the individual neuron, nor even necessarily the individual brain, but instead the socio-cognitive context in which brains develop and tools are manufactured and used. This context is inextricably linked to the development of unique ontogenetic scheduling, as evidenced by the fossil record of evolving hominin lineages.

Information about this Version

This is a Draft version
This version's date is: 10/2008
This item is peer reviewed

Link to this Version

https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/47599bd6-fe84-2c34-3d9b-9e4a17118dd4/1/

Item TypeJournal Article
TitleFrom individual neurons to social brains
AuthorsGrove, Matthew
DepartmentsFaculty of Science\Geography

Identifiers

doi10.1017/S0959774308000437

Deposited by Al Dean (ZSRA118) on 08-Mar-2010 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 22-Dec-2010

Notes

(C) 2008 Cambridge University Press, whose permission to mount this version for private study and research is acknowledged. The repository version is the author's final draft.

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