Some Thoughts about the Evolution of Human Behavior: A Literature Survey

Arthur Boucot's manuscript explores Homo's skeletal, behavioral, and cultural changes from the Late Pliocene to the present, highlighting the challenges of fossil and archaeological records. He deduces a continuity in basic human behaviors from the Oldowan and Acheulian to modern forms, including Neandertals and Denisovans. Boucot concludes that Homo was sapient and had been using language long before becoming sapiens, and expresses concern for environmental changes caused by human activities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2021
Publisher: Archaeopress

Arthur Boucot, a renowned paleoanthropologist, left behind an unfinished manuscript that delves into the remarkable skeletal, behavioral, and cultural transformations that Homo has undergone since its initial recognition in the Late Pliocene to the present. His extensive research encompassed a wide range of subjects, including infant food preparation, intestinal length, hafting, plastering, flint and metal use, grain and animal domestication, and the prevalence of parasitic diseases. Boucot's text repeatedly acknowledges the challenges posed by the significant gaps in both fossil and archaeological records. Through his analysis, Boucot discerned a continuity in fundamental human behaviors from the Oldowan and Acheulian periods into modern forms, while also recognizing the inclusion of Neandertals and Denisovans in the human lineage. However, he noted that morphological changes in successive species of Homo do not always align with significant advancements in lithic technologies. Boucot's profound conclusion was that a quantum evolutionary gap exists between hominins and great apes, asserting that our ancestors were sapient and had been employing language long before they became fully sapiens. Furthermore, his text expressed deep concern for the environmental impact of human activities. The edited results of Boucot's late-life endeavor, compiled after his passing, serve as a valuable resource for future scholars and researchers across diverse fields.

Weight: 629g
Dimension: 245 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789699036