tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023805782808412230.post7107754813651645594..comments2024-03-09T15:46:44.638+01:00Comments on For what they were... we are: Evolving bigger brains everywhere? Majuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12369840391933337204noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023805782808412230.post-36611055179563218082012-09-12T05:54:13.386+02:002012-09-12T05:54:13.386+02:00"Regarding the main issue, it's clear tha..."Regarding the main issue, it's clear that size is only one factor" <br /><br />I remember reading that brain size is a function of climate, with people in colder climates having larger brains. But, as you both suggest, brain size is no indicator of 'intelligence': <br /><br />"smaller, petite or pigmy peoples have a significantly smaller brain volume than the average modern human but it appears that their capacity for learning is not diminished from the human average". <br /><br />Hot region. terrythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17327062321100035888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023805782808412230.post-9850365628482531322012-09-11T18:31:15.447+02:002012-09-11T18:31:15.447+02:00Regarding the main issue, it's clear that size...Regarding the main issue, it's clear that size is only one factor, I recently <a href="http://forwhattheywereweare.blogspot.com.es/2012/08/increased-complexity-in-certain-regions.html" rel="nofollow">commented</a> on a new paper that pinpointed several brain regions whose complexity (and not just their size) is greatly increased in our brains relative to chimpanzee's. Size can only be a very rough proxy. <br /><br />Regarding the other question, I'm a bit ashamed that the neolithic maps page is the single page most visited of this blog yet I never really get myself to complete it (at least one or two maps more, right?) <br /><br />I don't know of such reliable maps for the whole world but it is something doable. Another issue is to actually do the work of documenting it all (I know better the European Neolithic than others) and then drawing the maps. Majuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369840391933337204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023805782808412230.post-40404834935633461262012-09-11T17:32:16.174+02:002012-09-11T17:32:16.174+02:00Just for comparison smaller, petite or pigmy peopl...Just for comparison smaller, petite or pigmy peoples have a significantly smaller brain volume than the average modern human but it appears that their capacity for learning is not diminished from the human average. Seeing this in the modern population, it can be extrapolated that brain volume is not the greater issue. It is the basic brain architecture that that is more important for determining intelligence. Unfortunately it is difficult to determine this architecture from empty fossilized skulls.<br /><br />On another note, I see your European Neolithic Map section. Do you know of a reliable source for similar maps that show 1st farmers for the entire world or Eurasia/Africa?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16233810798371621146noreply@blogger.com