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Chris Stringer, the Origin of Our Species, Allen Lane, London, 2011

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Chris Stringer, the Origin of Our Species, Allen Lane, London, 2011 Review: Chris Stringer, The Origin of Our Species, Allen Lane, London, 2011. Dave O'Farrell The topics of human evolution and the Stringer's book is an excellent summa- origins of human society have been of in- tion of the history of our understanding of terest to Marxists since the time of Marx the evolution of modern humans detailing and Engels. The origins of modern human developments in both archaeological finds society have been an area of considerable and the often conflicting theories resulting debate on a number of fronts with Marx from them. Perhaps the most surprising and Engels theories of a form of primi- aspect of the book for most readers with tive communism existing in hunter gath- only a passing knowledge of human evolu- erer societies often counter-posed with the- tion will be the very different picture of the ories of humans as `naked apes' with con- process from the often portrayed image of a flict and hierarchical structures being the steady linear advance from ape to modern norm. These naked ape theories are often human. The reality is decidedly different, used as evidence that a socialist society is the archaeological evidence is often open impossible and that it is simply `human to varying interpretation and there are of- nature' that modern capitalist society is ten many, sometimes conflicting, theories structured in such a way that a minority seeking to explain them. Given the time of people effectively have the power and in- span over which humans have evolved it is fluence to control society. Various theories far from surprising that the fossil record of human evolution which portray different is patchy at best and the remains found races as evolving in distinctly different re- are often badly damaged and frequently gions, known as multi region models, have far from complete specimens, in some cases also been used to justify racism of varying no more than a few individual bones or degrees. These topics and many others are a handful of teeth. Stringer's analysis is all covered in Chris Stringer's latest book. inherently materialist, starting with the Chris Stringer is is a research leader available evidence he discuses the scien- in human origins at the Natural History tific analysis of the fossil record and the Museum in London and is regarded as one frequent difficulties and uncertainties as- of the world's foremost experts on human sociated with the analysis. He frequently evolution. He has consistently been at the presents the reader with a verity of con- centre of many of the varied debates on flicting theories but is always careful to the topic for almost four decades. His re- present these ideas in light of the avail- search and collaborations have made a ma- able evidence and occasionally concluding jor impact on our understanding of how that there is not yet sufficient evidence and where our species developed. He is to be conclusive about the interpretations. perhaps best known for his work on the We are frequently reminded that the divi- recent African origin hypothesis which is sion of various stages of human evolution now almost universally accepted. His lat- into distinct species is of course a human est book, The Origin of Our Species, sets construct and there is still significant de- out to explain the most recent evidence bate over the exact nature of various fos- and theories about the origins of modern sils. The overlap between the various `ar- humans. chaic' human species, including the Nean- 110 derthals, and early modern or cro-magnon archaeological record shows the increase humans can be significant making a defini- in tool usage and complexity as well as tive interpretation of the fossils extremely the techniques used in their manufacture difficult. is paralleled by an increased complexity in Several chapters dealing with the ori- society which can be inferred from the in- gins of modern human society and be- creased appearance of decorative items of haviour will be of particular interest to clothing such as beads and shells as well as Marxists. In the discussion of the devel- an increased appearance of art and the ear- opment of human society the evidence of liest surviving musical instruments (dat- the interplay of the increase in the level ing back almost 40,000 years). The art of technology employed with the increased discovered both in cave paintings and in complexity in society lends significant sup- carved objects and figures is occasionally port to Friedrich Engels' 1876 work The not simply representative but apparently Part Played by Labour in the Transition symbolic including representations of hu- from Ape to Man1. In this work Engels ar- man figures with animal heads. This sym- gued that labour was central to man's evo- bolism is strongly suggestive of a society lution. Building from Darwens theories on where the level of communication has de- evolution Engels dialectical analysis was in veloped well beyond simply indicating im- stark contrast to the accepted view of the mediate needs to a level capable of think- day that human evolution began with the ing abstractly and planning ahead. A level development of larger brains and intellects of communication which would of course which in turn lead to walking upright and have been necessary for our early ancestors the use of hands to make tools. While En- to further their ability to shape the world gels recognised all these steps in human around them to meet not just immediate evolution his keen insight at the time, in short term needs but also less immediate spite of the incredibly limited fossil record medium to long term needs. then uncovered and the prevailing ideal- Stringer's strongly materialist analysis ist philosophy of the time which placed a of his subject matter is the main strength primacy on thought as the driver of cul- of his work. In analysing the views of Marx tural change, was to reorder the sequence and Engels on the development of human of events. Engels argued that the first step society Chris Harman correctly pointed in this transition was the ability to walk out that the main insight was the devel- upright, this in turn freed the hands which opment of a new understanding of how hu- were gradually adopted to tool use. This mans relate to the world around them (his- increased use of tools in turn lead to an torical materialism) and that this involved increased control over nature with an at- tendant increase in sociability as our early `rejecting the two dominant ancestors would have required an increased ways of seeing this relationship: level of communication which in turn influ- idealism which sees human be- enced the evolution of larger brains which ings as semi-divine, subject to in turn further influenced the development Gods will and completely sep- of tools and so on. The up to date evidence arate from the animal world; presented in Stringer's book strongly sup- and crude materialism which ports Engels dialectical approach and the hold humans to be no more 1Frederich Engels, The Part played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man,http://www. marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1876/part-played-labour/index.htm 111 than machines or animals, ei- iology and prevailing climatic conditions ther simply reacting to stim- he paints a picture of a complex interplay uli from the external world with numerous factors playing a role in (today generally labelled `be- the eventual demise of Neanderthals and haviourism'), or as biologically survival of Homo Sapiens. These interac- programmed to perform in cer- tions between two species who may well tain ways (today, called `socio- have had significant physical and cultural biology'). '2 differences is a strong rejection of the of- ten encountered `naked ape' theories which Stringer avoids both of these view- paint early humans as an embodiment of points clearly asserting that while genetic the supposed violence and desire for dom- studies of our ancient ancestors can yield inance which it is often asserted as repre- significant information there is far more senting `human nature'. to the development of human society and genetics mearly sets certain limits such In all Stringer's book represents an as- as a maximum possible brain size. The tounding collection of the most up to date discussion of the interaction of early hu- research on the topic of modern human mans with Neanderthals is also interest- evolution. Much of the detail contained ing and while not ruling out possible con- in it is not available outside of academic flicts between the two species Stringer journals which are often difficult for peo- points to a much more nuanced and sub- ple outside of the field of study to follow tle relationship. Taking into account stud- or even access. This book offers a clear and ies showing possible interbreeding between comprehensive introduction for anyone in- the species,important differences in phys- terested in the subject. 2Chris Harman, `Engels and the Origins of Human Society', International Socialism 2:65, Winter 1994.http://www.marxists.org/archive/harman/1994/xx/engels.htm 112.
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