ANTHR206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Homo Habilis, Rock Art, Cognitive Map

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTHR206
• Professor: Andrew Lints

Document Summary

Language is necessary for making uniform tools: requires a cognitive map (ability to follow a series of steps, materials and time. Foresight and intention: pla(cid:374)(cid:374)i(cid:374)g e(cid:448)ide(cid:374)(cid:272)e of (cid:272)o(cid:373)ple(cid:454) (cid:272)o(cid:374)s(cid:272)ious(cid:374)ess, creation of cultural boundaries. Implies complex social organization and relationships among individuals. Ideas of religion, supernatural, etc. require complex language and thought: rock art. Symbols for units of measurement: creation of a number system and measures of time indicate complex thinking. Indicates a concept of worth: communicating about the future, using symbols to plan things, relationships and status. Indicate classes, status: ex. helmets, badges of rank, spiritual and supernatural beliefs, tie people together through ceremonies, hybrid cultures are common. Involve boundary zones (zones between the physical and spiritual worlds), the presence of a deity, offerings, sacrifices: o(cid:396)ga(cid:374)izatio(cid:374) of spa(cid:272)e fo(cid:272)us poi(cid:374)t of (cid:449)o(cid:396)ship, (cid:271)ou(cid:374)da(cid:396)ies (cid:271)et(cid:449)ee(cid:374) worlds, offerings, etc. Symbols used to represent abstract and nonphysical ideas.