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Underestimating Kanzi? Exploring Kanzi‐Oldowan comparisons in light of recent human stone tool replication
Author(s) -
Eren Metin I.,
Lycett Stephen J.,
Tomonaga Masaki
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
evolutionary anthropology: issues, news, and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1520-6505
pISSN - 1060-1538
DOI - 10.1002/evan.21858
Subject(s) - knapping , bonobo , paleoanthropology , olduvai gorge , lithic technology , stone tool , replication (statistics) , homo sapiens , hominidae , cognition , biological evolution , psychology , archaeology , biology , geography , ecology , neuroscience , genetics , virology
Abstract The knapping experiments with Kanzi, a bonobo, are among the most insightful experiments into Oldowan technology ever undertaken. Comparison of his artifacts against archeological material, however, indicated he did not produce Oldowan lithic attributes precisely, prompting suggestions that this indicated cognitive or biomechanical impediments. The literature describing the learning environment provided to Kanzi, we suggest, indicates alternative factors. Based on consideration of wild chimpanzee learning environments, and experiments with modern knappers that have looked at learning environment, we contend that Kanzi's performance was impeded by an impoverished learning environment compared to those experienced by novice Oldowan knappers. Such issues are precisely those that might be tested via a repeat study, but in this case, practical and ethical constraints likely impede this possibility. We propose experiments that may be relevant to drawing conclusions from Kanzi's experiments that may not need to use non‐human primates, thus bypassing some of these issues.