
The Nature of Culture
Based on an Interdisciplinary Symposium 'The Nature of Culture', Tübingen, Germany
Springer (Publisher)
Published on 29. January 2016
Book
Hardback
X, 151 pages
978-94-017-7424-6 (ISBN)
Description
This volume introduces a model of the expansion of cultural capacity as a systemic approach with biological, historical and individual dimensions. It is contrasted with existing approaches from primatology and behavioural ecology; influential factors like differences in life history and demography are discussed; and the different stages of the development of cultural capacity in human evolution are traced in the archaeological record.
The volume provides a synthetic view on a) the different factors and mechanisms of cultural development, and b) expansions of cultural capacities in human evolution beyond the capacities observed in animal culture so far. It is an important topic because only a volume of contributions from different disciplines can yield the necessary breadth to discuss the complex subject. The model introduced and discussed originates in the naturalist context and tries to open the discussion to some culturalist aspects, thus the publication in a series with archaeological and biological emphasis is apt. As a new development the synthetic model of expansion of cultural capacity is introduced and discussed in a broad perspective.
The volume provides a synthetic view on a) the different factors and mechanisms of cultural development, and b) expansions of cultural capacities in human evolution beyond the capacities observed in animal culture so far. It is an important topic because only a volume of contributions from different disciplines can yield the necessary breadth to discuss the complex subject. The model introduced and discussed originates in the naturalist context and tries to open the discussion to some culturalist aspects, thus the publication in a series with archaeological and biological emphasis is apt. As a new development the synthetic model of expansion of cultural capacity is introduced and discussed in a broad perspective.
Reviews / Votes
"This book is the result of an interdisciplinary symposium held in 2011 to explore the role that culture played in early human expansions. The editors of this volume present a mix of both primatological and archaeological discussion on cultural origins to answer the question of when and why hominins became dependent on technology. The primatological papers are very much fixated on common chimpanzees, but authors throughout the book recognize how widespread the evidence for culture is among mammals and birds. The archaeological papers range from the earliest Paleolithic to the Early Upper Paleolithic. The volume contains many beautiful and informative photos and other illustrations, and the book is also available in electronic format." (Susan Cachel, Rutgers University)More details
Series
Edition
1st ed. 2016
Language
English
Place of publication
Dordrecht
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Illustrations
27 s/w Abbildungen, 11 farbige Abbildungen
X, 151 p. 38 illus., 11 illus. in color.
Dimensions
Height: 285 mm
Width: 215 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
670 gr
ISBN-13
978-94-017-7424-6 (9789401774246)
DOI
10.1007/978-94-017-7426-0
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Miriam N. Haidle | Nicholas J. Conard | Michael Bolus
The Nature of Culture
Based on an Interdisciplinary Symposium 'The Nature of Culture', Tübingen, Germany
Book
03/2018
Springer
€53.49
Shipment within 15-20 days

Miriam N. Haidle | Nicholas J. Conard | Michael Bolus
The Nature of Culture
Based on an Interdisciplinary Symposium 'The Nature of Culture', Tübingen, Germany
E-Book
01/2016
Springer
€53.49
Available for download
Content
The Nature of Culture: Research Goals and New Directions.- Lessons From Tasmania - Cultural Performance Versus Cultural Capacity.- Culture as a Form of Nature.- The Evolution of Hominin Culture and its Ancient Pre-Hominin Foundations.- Scarce but Significant: The Limestone Component of the Acheulean Site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel.- Technological Transformations Imply Cultural Transformations and Complex Cognition.- Neanderthal Utilitarian Equipment and Group Identity: The Social Context of Bifacial Tool Manufacture and Use.- Tracing Group Identity in Early Upper Paleolithic Stone and Organic Tools - Some Thoughts and Many Questions.- Childhood, Play and the Evolution of Cultural Capacity in Neanderthals and Modern Humans.- Stone Tools: Evidence of Something in Between Culture and Cumulative Culture?.- The Island Test for Cumulative Culture in the Paleolithic.- Mountaineering or Ratcheting? Stone Age Hunting Weapons as Proxy for the Evolution of Human Technological, Behavioral andCognitive Flexibility.