Since the 1980s consensus opinion is that the mind is like a collection of specialised modules each tasked for a specific purpose. The author seeks to elucidate and account for this theory and explain what it means to be human in this context.
A fantastic voyage through 15,000 years of history that laid the foundations for civilisation as we know it by award-winning science writer Steven Mithen.Twenty thousand years ago Earth was in the midst of an ice age. Then global warming arrived, leading to massive floods, the spread of forests and the retreat of the deserts. By 5,000 BC a radically different human world had appeared. In place of hunters and gatherers there were farmers; in place of transient campsites there were towns. The foundations of our modern world had been laid and nothing that came after - the Industrial Revolution, the atomic age, the internet - have ever matched the significance of those events. AFTER THE ICE tells the story of climate change's impact during this momentous period - one that also saw the colonisation of the Americas and mass extinctions of animals throughout the world. Drawing on the latest cutting- edge research in archaeology, cognitive science, palaeontology, geology and the evolutionary sciences, Steven Mithen creates an evocative, original and remarkably complete picture of minds, cultures, lives and landscapes through 15,000 years of history.
Along with the concepts of consciousness and intelligence, our capacity for language sits right at the core of what makes us human. But while the evolutionary origins of language have provoked speculation and impassioned debate, music has been neglected if not ignored. Like language it is a universal feature of human culture, one that is a permanent fixture in our daily lives. In THE SINGING NEANDERTHALS, Steven Mithen redresses the balance, drawing on a huge range of sources, from neurological case studies through child psychology and the communication systems of non-human primates to the latest paleoarchaeological evidence. The result is a fascinating and provocative work and a succinct riposte to those, like Steven Pinker, who have dismissed music as a functionless and unimportant evolutionary byproduct.
Focusing on the Mesolithic settlement of Islay and Colonsay, this comprehensive report presents findings from a decade-long archaeological project. It explores significant themes such as Scotland's colonization post-Ice Age, early settlement patterns, and the transition to Neolithic farming. The work includes sections on palaeoenvironmental studies, archaeological surveys, and experimental tool use, culminating in a detailed interpretation of the evidence. A notable aspect is the innovative landscape approach applied to hunter-gatherer archaeology through interdisciplinary research.
Exploring the intricate connection between language, thought, and culture, this comprehensive biography delves into the evolution of human language, tracing its origins back 1.6 million years. Steven Mithen draws on archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and genetics to illustrate how language transformed human cognition and society, facilitating the transition from the Stone Age to modern times. By challenging outdated theories and integrating various disciplines, the book presents a fresh synthesis of language evolution, aiming to reshape our understanding of what it means to be human.
Embarking on a physical and historical journey, the book explores one of Scotland's most significant islands, offering insights into its rich past. The author, known for previous bestselling works, weaves together narratives that illuminate the island's importance and the interplay of culture and history. Readers can expect a blend of engaging storytelling and scholarly research, making it a compelling read for those interested in Scotland's heritage.
A groundbreaking new account of prehistory from one of the most esteemed archaeologists working today
Popis života pravěkých lidí zrekonstruovaný na základě archeologických nálezů. Předchůdci dnešního člověka ve střední a mladší době kamenné.
