Introduction

Abstract

The “Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans” (RNMH) project aims to validate the working hypothesis, or “learning hypothesis,” that seeks to explain the replacement of Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) by early modern humans (H. sapiens). The RNMH project focuses on evidence—such as innate differences in learning capacity between the two populations—within an interdisciplinary research framework that incorporates new perspectives and methods from the humanities and biological sciences, including neuroscience and engineering. This volume, the second of a two-volume book, is the result of papers presented at the first international conference of the RNMH project, held in Tokyo in November 2012. The first volume covers cultural perspectives addressing the process of the replacement of Neanderthals and learning strategies based on changing patterns in archaeological evidence and theoretical interpretation using mathematical models. The second volume deals with cognitive and physical perspectives on the replacement process, exploring the innate differences in learning and cognitive abilities that may have existed between Neanderthals and early modern humans. The editors of the second volume have selected a total of 26 contributed papers, divided into four parts according to research topic.