Technology and behavioural evolution in late Pleistocene Africa, Europe and Australia

许多区分智人与其他物种的行为最早出现在更新世晚期，这就提出了我们的认知能力在这一时期是否发生了重大变化的问题。该项目将利用澳大利亚研究人员的最新进展，帮助解决人类行为进化中的这一基本问题。该项目还将强调澳大利亚考古学对人类进化模型的重要性，纠正该国更新世考古学经常被赋予的边缘作用。在解决这些问题时，该项目将突出澳大利亚对人类进化核心问题的承诺，并深化澳大利亚与南非的科学联系。

Many of the behaviours which distinguish Homo sapiens from other species first appeared in the late Pleistocene, raising the issue of whether our cognitive capacity changed significantly in this period. This project will use recent advances developed by Australian researchers to help resolve this cornerstone issue in human behavioural evolution. The project will also emphasise the importance of Australian archaeology to models of human evolution, redressing the peripheral role that the Pleistocene archaeology of the country is often accorded. In addressing these issues, the project will highlight Australia's commitment to core issues in human evolution, and deepen Australia's scientific ties with South Africa.