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Francesco d'Errico is a researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. His main research interest is the evolution of human cognitive abilities. He has published numerous papers on the early use of bone tools, the origin of symbolism, the emergence of behavioral modernity, the Middle-Upper Paleolithic transition, grave goods associated with Paleolithic burials, Paleolithic systems of notation, bone taphonomy, and the application of new techniques of analysis to the study of Paleolithic art objects. He leads a multidisciplinary research project funded by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique on the origin of modern humans and language and participates in research projects with colleagues from France, the United States, England, South Africa, Spain, and Belgium.
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Article
The invisible frontier. A multiple species model for the origin of behavioral modernity
Article first published online: 5 AUG 2003
DOI: 10.1002/evan.10113
Copyright © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
D'Errico, F. (2003), The invisible frontier. A multiple species model for the origin of behavioral modernity. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 12: 188–202. doi: 10.1002/evan.10113
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 AUG 2003
- Article first published online: 5 AUG 2003
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Middle Stone Age;
- Mousterian;
- Neandertals;
- symbolism;
- modern humans
Abstract
Two contradictory theories of human cognitive evolution have been developed to model how, when, and among what hominid groups behavioral modernity emerged. The first model, which has long been the dominant paradigm, links these behavioral innovations to a cultural “revolution” by anatomically modern humans in Europe at around 40,000 years ago, coinciding with the first arrival of our species in this region.1–4 According to this model, the sudden and explosive character of this change is demonstrated by the appearance in the archeological record of previously unseen carvings, personal ornaments, musical instruments, depictions on cave walls, and new stone and bone technology. A variant of this model sees behavioral modernity resulting from a rapid biological change, a brain mutation producing no apparent change in skull anatomy, which occurred in Europe or, more probably, in Africa at ca. 50,000 years ago.56.