Science is part of the general process we call life turning the environment (universe) into information about the environment (universe)

Supposmurf heeft er al beter uit gezien

I think political polarisation is a real issue so I find it difficult not to give this post a like. Extremely difficult.

After a brief hiatus, the next commentaries to highlight are by @janverpooten.bsky.social and @ctennie.bsky.social, who both demonstrate that complex symbols are not a uniquely human hallmark, but are found throughout nature.

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Here is a link to our new commentary in BBS
examining how animal artifacts challenge archaeological criteria for human symbolic cognition. A case for broader comparative perspectives in studying cognitive evolution.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

This suggests our archaeological criteria for identifying symbolic cognition need revision or symbolic thinking isn't uniquely human. We're highlighting how our methods for identifying symbolic behavior in the archaeological record might need broader comparative perspectives.

What's particularly interesting is that thousands of species show vocal imitation abilities - a sophisticated cognitive trait crucial for language - while non-human primates generally don't.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Here's a summary of how various animal behaviors match archaeological criteria used to identify human cognitive advancement. From personal ornaments to musical instruments, parallels can be found in nonhuman animals.

Musical instruments? Palm cockatoos modify sticks to drum on hollow trees during courtship, showing rhythm and individual styles - key features we associate with human music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrBc...

Regarding figurative art: Wild orangutans create and cuddle "dolls" made from leaves, while dolphins can create representational displays (like imitating smoke with milk). These meet criteria for representational behavior.

On decoration: Male bowerbirds create elaborate displays with collected objects and even paint their bowers with processed plant material. This mirrors early human "manuports" and paint manufacture.

Let's look at personal adornment: While ochre use in early humans is seen as symbolic evidence, bearded vultures also use ochre for status signaling. Even more fascinating - vulture evolution predates humans, suggesting we might have learned from them!

We're responding to compelling work by
@dstibbardhawkes.bsky.social who questioned links between material culture and behavioral modernity in humans. We extend this critique to examine parallels in animal behavior.
bsky.app/profile/dsti...

In the paper, Alexis De Tiège and I challenge this assumption by examining how non-human animals create artifacts that meet the same criteria archaeologists and other researchers use to identify human symbolic behavior.