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Theory in Biosciences

, Volume 129, Issue 2–3, pp 203–210 | Cite as

Grammatical equivalents of Palaeolithic tools: a hypothesis

  • Antonio B. VieiraEmail author
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

In this article, language is considered as a behavioural trait evolving by means of natural selection, in co-evolution with the Palaeolithic tool industries. This perspective enables an analysis of the grammatical and syntactic equivalents of the multiple abilities and effects of lithic tools across the successive modes of their development and consider their influence in intra-group communication and the social biology of the hominine species concerned. The hypothesis is that grammatical equivalents inherent to stone tool work guide the evolution of language.

Keywords

Language Lithic tools Hominines Biocultural evolution Flaking techniques Social biology 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Nathalie Gontier for her strong support, and Prof. Alexandre Castro Caldas, Dr. Brian Hannon, Luisa Lehner and Gilda Oswaldo Cruz for their valuable help.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Centro de Filosofia das Ciências da Universidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal

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