'The "Symbolic Ape": A Paleoanthropological exploration of symbolic behaviour' is the title of the seminar that will be held on Thursday 3 May from 18:00 to 19:30 at the Mediterranean Institute (Ir-Razzett tal-摩ursun).
The speaker is Dr Kris Kovarovic (University of Durham).
Abstract
The Order Primates has a deep evolutionary history dating back 60 million years, but our own species, Homo sapiens, is a relatively recently evolved taxon in the ape lineage. Whilst sharing a number of fundamental traits with our ape 'cousins', we are unique in occupying a global niche and in the diverse behavioural and cultural repertoires that we use to survive in a multitude of environments. Our ability to migrate rapidly and successfully across the globe over the past few hundred thousand years is often attributed to our cognitive abilities, particularly the ability to think, act, and communicate symbolically with other members of our species. But what exactly does it mean to behave symbolically, and how can we examine this in past populations?
Dr Kris Kovarovich will consider the archaeological and palaeoanthropological records for evidence of symbolic behaviours in our early human ancestors, as well as evidence for these behaviours in hominin species other than our own.
Refreshments will be served after the seminar.
For more information send an email.
The Order Primates has a deep evolutionary history dating back 60 million years, but our own species, Homo sapiens, is a relatively recently evolved taxon in the ape lineage. Whilst sharing a number of fundamental traits with our ape 'cousins', we are unique in occupying a global niche and in the diverse behavioural and cultural repertoires that we use to survive in a multitude of environments. Our ability to migrate rapidly and successfully across the globe over the past few hundred thousand years is often attributed to our cognitive abilities, particularly the ability to think, act, and communicate symbolically with other members of our species. But what exactly does it mean to behave symbolically, and how can we examine this in past populations?
Dr Kris Kovarovich will consider the archaeological and palaeoanthropological records for evidence of symbolic behaviours in our early human ancestors, as well as evidence for these behaviours in hominin species other than our own.
Refreshments will be served after the seminar.
For more information send an email.
