Exploring the cognitive underpinnings of early hominin stone tool use through an experimental EEG approach

Abstract Technological innovation has been crucial in the evolution of our lineage, with tool use and production linked to complex cognitive processes. While previous research has examined the cognitive demands of early stone toolmaking, the neurocognitive aspects of early hominin tool use remain la...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 26936
Main Authors:	Affinito, Simona, Eteson, Brienna, Cáceres, Lourdes Tamayo, Moos, Elena Theresa, Karakostis, Fotios Alexandros
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London Nature Publishing Group 19-11-2024
Subjects:	Brain research Cognition EEG Evolution Technological change Tool use
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Abstract Technological innovation has been crucial in the evolution of our lineage, with tool use and production linked to complex cognitive processes. While previous research has examined the cognitive demands of early stone toolmaking, the neurocognitive aspects of early hominin tool use remain largely underexplored. This study relies on electroencephalography to investigate brain activation patterns associated with two distinct early hominin tool-using behaviors: forceful hammerstone percussion, practiced by both humans and non-human primates and linked to the earliest proposed stone tool industries, and precise flake cutting, an exclusive hominin behavior typically associated with the Oldowan. Our results show increased engagement of the frontoparietal regions during both tasks. Furthermore, we observed significantly increased beta power in the frontal and centroparietal areas when manipulating a cutting flake compared to a hammerstone, and increased beta activity over contralateral frontal areas during the aiming (planning) stage of the tool-using process. This original empirical evidence suggests that certain fundamental brain changes during early hominin evolution may be linked to precise stone tool use. These results offer new insights into the complex interplay between technology and human brain evolution and encourage further research on the neurocognitive underpinnings of hominin tool use.
ISSN:	2045-2322 2045-2322
DOI:	10.1038/s41598-024-77452-0