On the origin of numbers
Nature Podcast
00:00
The Origins of Numbers
Archaeologist francesco derico has found instances of bones marked by humans, hinting at the origins of counting. One of these dates back some forty thousand years, uncovered in a cave in south africa. Researchers are using evidence from fields as wide ranging as psychology, anthropology, archaeology and evolutionary biology to shed light on the matter. For cognitive archaeologist caron lee overman, contemporary cultures have a lot to teach us about the evolution of numbers in our ancestors.
Play episode from 03:02
Transcript
