Early Convergent Cultural Evolution

Abstract

Abstract Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar traits in different species, resulting from adaptation to separate ecosystems. Two Acheulean giant core methods, discussed in this chapter, illustrate this mechanism in an early stage of human cultural evolution. Victoria West core method was used only in central South Africa, while the Tabelbala-Tachenghit method is confined to the Western Sahara Desert of North Africa. Although the Victoria West and Tabelbala-Tachenghit core methods differ to a degree in their technological character and in the morphology of their resulting products, they bear great resemblance. These core methods were decidedly similar solutions to the same needs experienced by different groups of Acheulean large flake makers. The fact that core methods closely resembling one another in technology and design were developed by different Acheulean populations in remote and disconnected geographical regions provides us with a very early example of convergent cultural evolution.