The Great Leap Forward

Sept 4

Behavioral Modernity

• Behavioral modernity• There are two main theories regarding when

modern human behavior emerged:

• Cultural universals• Classic archaeologically-accessible evidence

of behavioral modernity includes:

Great Leap Forward

• Whether modern behavior emerged as a single event or gradually is the subject of vigorous debate.

• Occurred 40,000 years ago in Europe – earlier in Africa

• Humans who lived before 50,000 ya were behaviorally primitive and indistinguishable from other extinct hominids.

Continuity Hypothesis

• Proponents of the continuity hypothesis hold that no single genetic or biological change is responsible for the appearance of modern behavior.

• Continuity theorists believe that what appears to be a technological revolution at the onset of the Upper Paleolithic is most likely a result of increased cultural exchange resulting from a growing human population

Man-the-Hunter Hypothesis

• Meat-Eating Hypothesis aka Cooking Hypothesis

• Explains transition from Australopithecine to Homo

• Idea that the taming of fire made meat more desirable

Strange Life Cycles

Sept 4

Life Cycles

• Number of offspring• The parental care that offspring receive• Social relations between adult individuals• How mates are selected• Frequency of sexual relations• Menopause• Life expectancy