Anatoly M. Kuznetsov^a,#

^a Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia

^#E-mail: kuznetsov.2012@mail.ru

Keywords: neuroarchaeology, social brain, objectification, tool, Oldowan, Acheulian handaxe.

The article discusses the main ideas of British neuroarchaeology and American cognitive archaeology as well as their practical implementation. Neuro/cognitive archaeology is a new area of research that emerged at the junction of the social/cultural neuro/cognitive sciences and Palaeolithic archaeology. The basis of this line of research is the concept of “social brain”, which views this organ as a social/cultural “artifact”. Such an interpretation suggests that brain activity as well as another important human quality, mind, should be considered in conjunction with its corporeality and external environment. This idea has been further developed by L. Malafouris in his material engagement theory. He connected the mind with the ability to think and with tools in a process of tool activity. However, for the correct application of this theory, it is crucial to distinguish between ancient tools from natural mediators used by animals. The introduction of this distinction permits to establish an unambiguous connection of the emergence of tool making and mind with the beginning of the Oldowan. The previous stage of development (from 7 to 2.6 million years) was the period of the formation of preconditions for the transition that marked the beginning of the sociocultural development of our most ancient ancestors, which influenced their biosocial nature.

DOI: 10.31857/S0869606322040109