1. How do we determine “progress” and “modernity”?

2. Remember Darwin? Evolution – the change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. Leads to speciation, or the development of new species (Though other elements are also invovled) Natural Selection – traits that provide an advantage in reproductive success will be preferentially passed on over those that do not.

3. Behavioral Modernity A set of traits that distinguish present-day humans and their recent ancestors from other living primates and extinct hominids What traits do you think would be the most important?

4. The point at which homo sapiens start to demonstrate complex, symbolic thought and cultural creativity Language Finely made tools Fishing Long distance sharing/exchange between groups Self ornamentation (jewelry, pigment, etc) Figurative art Game playing Music Cooking Burial of dead

5. The Behavioral B’s Blades, beads, burials, bone tools, beauty Invention is considered to be more advanced behavior than adoption – inventing new concepts, methods, etc. is believed to show higher intelligence than simply adopting the idea We currently lack proof for a genetic connection to the capacity for/emergence of Behavioral Modernity

6. Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) Members of Homo Sapiens who are visually consistent (phenotype) with modern humans Sometimes also called Homo Sapiens Sapiens Behaviorally Modern Humans (BMH) Humans that demonstrate behavioral modernity. **These are not the same thing**

7. How did this suddenly happen?

8. Theory 1: Great Leap Forward Proponents argue around 50 kya in Africa and/or Europe, there was a sudden shift in cognitive ability Earlier humans were behaviorally primitive, indistinguishable from extinct hominids Critiques: BMH emerge over 100 000 years after AMH; no genetic evidence for increased cognition in that timespan No explanation for how this change might have happened

9. Theory 2: Continuity Hypothesis Proponents argue there is no single genetic or biological change to explain BHM Emergence is the result of the evolution of society and learning There is evidence of behavioral modernity as early as 250 kya, such as burial of grave goods, use of pigment, and heat in tool making Rapid pace of cultural evolution due to climate pressure, population change Also explains rapid change in modern era (Increased population increases chances of innovation)