Neanderthals and Modern Humans: Behavioral Characterization the First RNMH Processes in West Asia
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RNMH2014 RNMH2014 The Second International Conference The Second International Conference November 30 Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans: Testing Evolutionary Models of Learning – December 6, 2014, November 30 December 6, 2014, Date City Date City Edited by Takeru Akazawa & Yoshihiro Nishiaki Akazawa & Yoshihiro Takeru Program and Abstracts Edited by Takeru Akazawa & RNMH PROJECT SERIES No. 003 Yoshihiro Nishiaki RNMH2014 The Second International Conference Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans: Testing Evolutionary Models of Learning November 30 December 6, 2014, Date City Program and Abstracts Edited by Takeru Akazawa & Yoshihiro Nishiaki RNMH Project Series Editor-in-Chief Takeru Akazawa (Kochi University of Technology) Editorial Board Shunichi Amari (Brain Science Institute) Kenichi Aoki (The University of Tokyo) Ofer Bar-Yosef (Harvard University) Ralph L. Holloway (Columbia University) Shiro Ishii (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Tasuku Kimura (The University of Tokyo) Yoshihiro Nishiaki (The University of Tokyo) Naomichi Ogihara (Keio University) Hiroki C. Tanabe (National Institute for Physiological Sciences) Hideaki Terashima (Kobe Gakuin University) Minoru Yoneda (The University of Tokyo) Published by RNMH Project Group Research Institute, Kochi University of Technology CIC Tokyo, 3-3-6 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-5440-9039 Fax: +81-(0)3-5440-9119 http://www.koutaigeki.org/ The publication of the RNMH Project Series has been supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Grant No. 22101001) from Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. ISBN: 978-4-9906371-0-1 © 2014 RNMH Project Group All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the RNMH project group. Produced by Akita Kappan, Inc., Akita CONTENTS 006 Preface 009 Conference Program Abstracts – Oral Presentations 017 DAY 1 Opening Remarks Keynote Lectures 025 DAY 2 Neanderthals and Modern Humans: Behavioral Characterization The First RNMH Processes in West Asia 055 DAY 3 Environmental Backgrounds for RNMH Timing of the RNMH in Europe Global Processes of RNMH DAY 4 Excursion (optional) 079 DAY 5 Learning Strategies and Cultural Evolution 105 DAY 6 Cognition and Learning Looking into the Neanderthal Brain Closing Remarks DAY 7 Post-conference Excursion (optional) 127 Abstracts – Poster Presentations 179 Author Index Preface RNMH2014 is the second international conference for our major research project entitled “Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans: Testing Evolutionary Models of Learning” (RNMH). Similar to the first conference held in Tokyo, Japan in 2012, this one aims to compile the latest research investigating the issues surrounding the replacement of those two populations. Understanding this phenomenon of replacement, including clarification of its detailed spatio-temporal processes and interpretation of the mechanism(s) behind them, has been one of the most hotly debated subjects in the recent anthropological literature. Even in the few years directly after launching the RNMH project in 2010, a series of influential findings were newly reported. For example, particularly remarkable achievements were based on ancient genetic studies. DNA analyses of fossil and Modern Human remains have demonstrated the possible 1 occurrence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and anatomically Modern Humans in the Paleolithic period. Likewise, the presence of another indigenous population in Paleolithic Eurasia, the Denisovans, was identified in 2 eastern Central Asia where the occurrence of Neanderthals was also known. On the other hand, archaeological fieldwork has also continuously yielded new insights. Discoveries indicating “modern” Neanderthal behaviors that 3 were previously attributed only to anatomically Modern Humans are at most interesting, blurring the behavioral distinction between these two populations. These and other new data indicate that the replacement processes should be considered more complicated than before, certainly rejecting a simple straightforward “replacement” model. At the same time, varied processes, and hence varied mechanisms in each region should be considered. In other words, research in this area today requires more refined perspectives grounded in interpretation of higher resolution data. This recognition is related to one of the two main objectives of this conference, which is giving an opportunity for international colleagues to gather and present state-of-the-art results on these subjects. This opportunity should also be welcomed by RNMH project members to present their research results in an international arena to solicit expert evaluation. The second objective of this conference is to discuss the working hypothesis proposed by the RNMH project, coined as the “learning hypothesis.” The specific goal of this project is to verify this hypothesis within an interdisciplinary research framework incorporating new perspectives and methods from the humanities and biological sciences. It is unique in focusing on possible differences in learning (abilities/strategies/behaviors) between Neanderthal and Modern Human societies. The hypothesis was based on the following reasoning: success or failure of any human society is heavily dependent on culture; culture is transmitted, maintained, and modified through learning; and this premise is probably applicable to human societies during the replacement period as well. Was there any significant difference in learning between Neanderthals and anatomically Modern Humans? If so, clarification is required to explain how and whether it derived from their innate biological difference, social environments, or from both factors. Although the detailed answers will be obtained after much research to come, we believe that it is a significant advantage to look at the broader replacement processes, thus enlarging the dimensions of current debates. 006 Spanning seven days between November 30 and December 6, the conference consists of three major parts. After the opening remarks and keynote lectures on Day 1 (November 30), when the latest findings in physical anthropology, cognitive archaeology, and field archaeology are addressed, the first part starts on Day 2 (December 1) and continues until Day 3 (December 2). It deals with the behavioral characterization of these two populations and the details of replacement processes by region as revealed through a variety of disciplines including prehistoric archaeology, ecology, genetics, and palaeoenvironments. The regional survey focuses on West Asia and Europe, where the processes have been most intensively studied, but it also refers to new data from Africa and Central and East Asia. Following a break for the excursion on Day 4 (December 3), the second subject, learning, will be covered on Day 5 (December 4). Possible differences in learning abilities, strategies, and behaviors between Neanderthals and Modern Humans are discussed using evidence from fieldwork in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and primatology. Theoretical modeling to predict evolutionary paths in learning strategies will also be addressed. In the final part on Day 6 (December 5), sessions will be devoted to discussing the innate learning capabilities among these hominin populations. Instead of considering behavioral evidence reflected in the archaeological records, the discussion focuses on independent evidence obtained through innovative approaches to studying the available cranial endocasts of Neanderthals and anatomically Modern Humans. The conference closes after the post-conference excursion on Day 7 (December 6). RNMH2012, Tokyo, consisted of 30 oral and 38 poster presentations. RNMH2014 incorporates 55 oral and 22 poster presentations. In addition to changes in the conference structure and number of presentations, we are pleased to see the remarkable increase in the range of countries in which participants are based (6 to 16). This certainly reflects the worldwide increase in research interest on these topics. The organizers are deeply indebted to all participants, especially those visiting from overseas who made RNMH2014 a truly international platform. Last but not least, we would like to mention that financial support for RNMH2014 has been obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (Grant No. 22101001) and the Education Board of Date City, Hokkaido. Our deepest gratitude is extended to the Date Volunteer Society for Scientific Meeting, who organized the venue for this international meeting. Takeru Akazawa Yoshihiro Nishiaki Kochi University of Technology The University of Tokyo 1. Green RE et al (2010) A draft sequence of the Neandertal genome. Science 328: 710–722. 2. Krause J et al (2010) The complete mitochondrial DNA genome of an unknown hominin from southern Siberia. Nature 464: 894–897. Reich D et al (2010) Genetic history of an archaic hominin group from Denisova Cave in Siberia. Nature 468: 1053–1060. 3. Villa P, Roebroeks W (2014) Neandertal demise: An archaeological analysis of the Modern Human superiority complex. PLoS One. doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0096424 007 TheRNMH2014 Second International Conference Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans: Testing Evolutionary Models of Learning ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Chair, Organizing