Cave Bears and Modern Human Origins [Paperback]

Robert H. Gargett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0761802339 | ISBN-13: 978-0761802334

This book systematically examines an animal bone assemblage in order to ascertain its spatial patterning. The study was first undertaken to discover the likely animal actors responsible for any horizontal spatial patterning. There is much data to support the long-held notion that the cave was a hibernation den for bears. In this study, the author provides fresh insight by arguing that there is powerful evidence that these bear carcasses had been scavenged by wolves and hyenas. He also argues that animals can create spatial patterns in the absence of culture or modern human cognitive abilities. Gargett suggests that an effort must be made to identify distinctive spatial patterns that result from human cognitive processes, such as language and culture. Only then, he argues, will spatial analysis achieve its potential as a means to help resolve questions about the origins of modern humans. This book will appeal to Paleolithic archaeologists and Paleoanthropologists. Its analyses will interest vertebrate paleontologists and paleobiologists as well.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A clearly written and exceptionally valuable contribution to a literature that needs this sort of informal, even-handed re-examination.>>>> (Gary Haynes )

An important and well-written treatise on the topic of spacial taphony and should be rquired reading for anyone dealing with archaeological materials from caves of rock shelters.>>>> (Gary Haynes American Antiquity )

...Gargett's study is largely successful in his demonstration that non-human behavior can pattern material remains in space and that this finding has implications for the relevance of utilizing spatial patterning to discern the origins of the symbolichuman mind.>>> (Gary Haynes International Journal Of Ostearchaeology )

Overall, it is a good piece of work. University Press of America is to be commended for publishing it...needs to be read by many paleobiologists and zooarchaelogists.>>>> (Dr. R. Lee Lyman )

Overall, it is a good piece of work. University Press of America is to be commended for publishing it...needs to be read by many paleobiologists and zooarchaelogists. (Dr. R. Lee Lyman )

A clearly written and exceptionally valuable contribution to a literature that needs this sort of informal, even-handed re-examination. (Gary Haynes )

An important and well-written treatise on the topic of spacial taphony and should be rquired reading for anyone dealing with archaeological materials from caves of rock shelters. (Gary Haynes American Antiquity )

...Gargett's study is largely successful in his demonstration that non-human behavior can pattern material remains in space and that this finding has implications for the relevance of utilizing spatial patterning to discern the origins of the symbolic human mind. (Gary Haynes International Journal Of Ostearchaeology )

About the Author

Dr. Robert H. Gargett is a Research Associate of the Archaeological Research Facility at the University of California at Berkeley and a Lecturer at San Jose State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (April 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761802339
• ISBN-13: 978-0761802334
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,505,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.