An article over at the Guardian goes into how scientists now believe stone-age humans mastered the art of elegant hand-toolmaking the same time as they developed language. We knew tools were important, but placing them before language takes another leap entirely. This might explain man’s insatiable desire for making things and solving problems. I think I have an idea for a new TV show: The Prehistoric Tool-man. It would be far more interesting watching some guy build something complex out of sticks and rocks than Bob Villa use an $800 specialty tool that nobody actually has in their shop…
The article is interesting, but unfortunately, like most research dealing with anthropology these days, the entire piece seems centered around how this supports existing evolutionary theory. It’s a distraction from the initial observation which I think is actually quite interesting. I mean, apparently tools are pretty important!
Brain scans of modern stone-tool makers show that key areas in the brain’s right hemisphere become more active when they switch from making stone flakes to more advanced tools. Intriguingly, some of these brain regions are involved in language processing.
There has been some persistent discussions in the archaeology community about why it is observed that more complex stone tools took a while to come about. I think modern scientists would like to know if we were simply not motivated, not smart enough, or hadn’t the environmental means to develop more complex tools.
I know one thing – even ancient man would have been impressed with a new cordless lithium-ion circular saw!
Source: Guardian
