1. GENETIC VERSES CULTURAL EVOLUTION
Mousterian tools Jonzac, France

2. Comparison GENETIC CULTURAL The product of natural selection
The product of learning. the transmission of acquired behaviour characteristics
Darwinian
Lamarkian
Innate not modified during the organism’s life time
Learned during the life time
Passed on through hereditary information
Passed on to kin (family), social group, population, within a generation and between generations
Slow change
Fast change
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

3. The relative importance of genetic and cultural evolution for humans
Not limited to humans examples found amongst birds and non-human primates
Genetic evolution determines features such as basic anatomy e.g. maximum cranial capacity that in turn will determine “intelligence”
This sets the possible scope of cultural evolution
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

4. Hominid cultures are associated with particular tools
Homo habilis Oldowan culture
Simple choppers, scrapers and flakes
Homo erectus Acheulian culture
Hand axes, cleaver and pick added to the tool box
Homo neanderthalensis Mousterian culture
Large flakes of uniform size produced from a core; these were then trimmed to the desired tool
Homo sapiens Soultrian culture
Delicate blades formed, knives, burins (for drilling); other materials added (bone, antler, and ivory). Some tools now ceremonial
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

5. Observed evolution of cultures
This implies genetic evolution had to precede cultural evolution
Development of cultural innovation sometimes occurs a long time after the species evolves genetically
But when it happens it spreads quickly
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

6. Example
Homo sapiens evolved a large cranial capacity and modern brain structure years ago
Signs of symbolic thought processes in sculpture, wall paintings and adornments do not appear until years ago
A fundamental change is thought to have occurred about 60 to years ago
But is this an artefact of preservation?
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS