ANT 304 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Signify, Cognitive Map
Document Summary
What most distinguishes the human species from other life forms is our ability to use symbols - the representation of an idea or of a concept, whether in verbal or in visual form. We need to see the symbol and how it is used to determine it"s meaning. Very few symbols have a universal meaning - it is the assemblage that matters, not the individual object in isolation. By now, all humans have a capacity for for complex speech, something we did not have when the first humans evolved. Modern human abilities have been present since the emergence of homo sapiens, but before that there is more different opinions. Assess human cognitive capabilities by examining the way stone tools and other artifacts were made. Look at how advanced the tool is and determine cognitive map based off function and design. Consider planning time - time between the planning of an act and its execution.
