A key question in human evolution is the role of language in Early Stone Age toolmaking. A neuroimaging study now shows that Acheulian and Oldowan toolmaking recruit brain areas associated with different functions. The brain's language network is most strongly engaged when toolmaking is learned through verbal training.
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Uomini, N. Neuroarchaeology: Language and tools in the brain. Nat Hum Behav 1, 0114 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-017-0114
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-017-0114
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Combinatoriality and Compositionality in Everyday Primate Skills
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