Mind & Matter cover image

Language Evolution, Symbolic Cognition, Language Acquisition, Brain Development, Origin of the Human Mind | Terrence Deacon | 20

Mind & Matter

00:00

Evolutionary transition in early hominids

The transition to human-sized brains took place over a million and a half years, with brain sizes like ours appearing just a few hundred thousand years ago. Stone tools, initially appearing 2.5 million years ago, became stabilized around 1.8 million years ago and were associated with slightly enlarged brains. These tools were likely used for butchery, indicating early hominids may have been scavengers who cooperated to gather meat and evade dangerous predators.

Play episode from 01:52:15
Transcript

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app