GENETIC VERSES CULTURAL EVOLUTION Mousterian tools Jonzac, France

Comparison GENETIC CULTURAL The product of natural selection The product of learning. the transmission of acquired behaviour characteristics Darwinian Lamarkian Innate not modified during the organism’s life time Learned during the life time Passed on through hereditary information Passed on to kin (family), social group, population, within a generation and between generations Slow change Fast change © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

The relative importance of genetic and cultural evolution for humans Not limited to humans examples found amongst birds and non-human primates Genetic evolution determines features such as basic anatomy e.g. maximum cranial capacity that in turn will determine “intelligence” This sets the possible scope of cultural evolution © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Hominid cultures are associated with particular tools Homo habilis Oldowan culture Simple choppers, scrapers and flakes Homo erectus Acheulian culture Hand axes, cleaver and pick added to the tool box Homo neanderthalensis Mousterian culture Large flakes of uniform size produced from a core; these were then trimmed to the desired tool Homo sapiens Soultrian culture Delicate blades formed, knives, burins (for drilling); other materials added (bone, antler, and ivory). Some tools now ceremonial © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Observed evolution of cultures This implies genetic evolution had to precede cultural evolution Development of cultural innovation sometimes occurs a long time after the species evolves genetically But when it happens it spreads quickly © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Example Homo sapiens evolved a large cranial capacity and modern brain structure 150 000 years ago Signs of symbolic thought processes in sculpture, wall paintings and adornments do not appear until 35 000 years ago A fundamental change is thought to have occurred about 60 to 70 000 years ago But is this an artefact of preservation? © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS