The DOI matches its Crossref record; 170 of the 170 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
An evolutionary anthropological perspective on modern human origins.
Open accessAbstract
Modern humans are an anomaly in evolution, and the final key features occurred late in human evolution. Ultimate explanations for this evolutionary trajectory are best attained through synthetic studies that integrate genetics, biological anthropology, and archaeology, all resting firmly in the field of evolutionary anthropology. These fields of endeavor typically operate in relative isolation. This synthetic overview identifies the three pillars of human uniqueness: an evolved advanced cognition, hyperprosociality, and psychology for social learning. These properties are foundational for cumulative culture, the dominant adaptation of our species. Although the Homo line evolved in the direction of advancing cognition, the evidence shows that only modern humans evolved extreme levels of prosociality and social learning; this review offers an explanation. These three traits were in place ∼200–100 ka and produced a creature capable of extraordinary social and technological structures, but one that was also empowered to make war in large groups with advanced weapons. The advance out of Africa and the annihilation of other hominin taxa, and many unprepared megafauna, were assured.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Marean (2015) developed a version of this hypothesis that suggested why selection in favor of cooperation was more intense in the origin of H. sapiens than in other Homo. He pointed to increasing exploitation of dense and predictable food resources, leading to higher population density, and more aggressive defense of territories.”
From Hypotheses for the Evolution of Reduced Reactive Aggression in the Context of Human Self-Domestication (2019) · cites this paper as Marean, 2015
In the citing paper
“Marean (2015) developed a similar scenario.”
From Hypotheses for the Evolution of Reduced Reactive Aggression in the Context of Human Self-Domestication (2019) · cites this paper as Marean, 2015
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
The Cultural Origins of Human Cognition
Tomasello, M. (2009) · doi:10.2307/j.ctvjsf4jc · Cited by 6,368
Altruistic punishment in humans
Fehr, E., & Gächter, S. (2002) · Nature · doi:10.1038/415137a · Cited by 5,616
A draft sequence of the Neandertal genome
Green, R. E., Krause, J., Briggs, A. W., Maricic, T., Stenzel, U., Kircher, M., Patterson, N., Li, H., Zhai, W., Fritz, M. H.-Y., et al. (2010) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1188021 · Cited by 4,318
Fehr, E., & Fischbacher, U. (2003) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature02043 · Cited by 3,475 · cited 1×
“…cooperate at high levels with non-kin and have deep-seated non-selfish preferences that are unique among living animals (Bowles & Gintis 2011, Fehr & Fischbacher 2003, Fehr & Gächter 2002, Henrich 2004, Henrich et al 2001, Henrich & Henrich 2006) while varying by cultural context (Henrich et…”
BackgroundOrigins of Human Communication
Tomasello, M. (2008) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/7551.001.0001 · Cited by 3,342
The revolution that wasn't: a new interpretation of the origin of modern human behavior
Mcbrearty, S., & Brooks, A. S. (2000) · Journal of Human Evolution · doi:10.1006/jhev.2000.0435 · Cited by 2,718
In Search of Homo Economicus: Behavioral Experiments in 15 Small-Scale Societies
Henrich, J., Boyd, R. T., Bowles, S., Camerer, C., Fehr, E., Gintis, H. M., & McElreath, R. L. (2001) · American Economic Review · doi:10.1257/aer.91.2.73 · Cited by 2,619
Eight glacial cycles from an Antarctic ice core
Members, E. C. (2004) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature02599 · Cited by 2,503
The complete genome sequence of a Neanderthal from the Altai Mountains
Prüfer, K., Racimo, F., Patterson, N., Jay, F., Sankararaman, S., Sawyer, S., Heinze, A., Renaud, G., Sudmant, P. H., de Filippo, C., et al. (2014) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature12886 · Cited by 2,254
Origins of human communication
(2009) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.46-3671 · Cited by 2,236
Research works printed but not linked: 5
- Ames CJH, 2013, Can. J. Archaeol., 37, 21
- Crabtree DE, 1964, Tebiwa, 7, 1
- Marean CW, 2005, African Archaeology, 93
- Soressi M, 2008, Bull. Soc. Préhist. Fr., 47, 95
- Wadley L, 2003, South Afr. J. Sci., 99, 247
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–134 of 134
Fillion, E. N., & Harrison, T. (2022) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4069764 · Cited by 1
Gellis, J. J., & Foley, R. (2023) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119592112.ch17 · Cited by 1
Evolutionary Perspectives on the Parental Brain
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.003.0011
Anxiety Reduction and Maternal Aggression in Postpartum Nonhuman Mammals
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.003.0006
Development of the Parental Brain in Nonhuman Mammals
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.003.0009
Development of the Parental Brain in Humans
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.003.0010
Brain Mechanisms Regulating Maternal Behavior in Nonhuman Mammals
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.003.0004
Nishiaki, Y. A., & Kadowaki, S. (2021) · Quaternary International · doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2021.06.002
Marsh, M. N. (2021) · New approaches to the scientific study of religion · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-67326-0_2
Cultural Evolution: From Tools to Art and Genes
Owen‐Smith, N. (2021) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108961646.027
Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
Owen‐Smith, N. (2021) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108961646.023
Evolution, Development, Culture, and Human Exceptionalism
Young, G. C. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-82540-9_12
Arsdale, A. P. V. (2018) · The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology · doi:10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0034
(2021) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/13482.003.0016
Horwood, A., & Chockalingam, N. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-85212-8.00006-7
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.002.0006
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.002.0003
Abbreviations Used for Major Brain Regions
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.002.0007
Numan, M. (2020) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.002.0004
O’Brien, M. J., & Bentley, R. A. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780192882578.003.0007
DEANE‐DRUMMOND, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0004
DEANE‐DRUMMOND, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.002.0005
Afterword: Gathering the Fragments
DEANE‐DRUMMOND, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0011
DEANE‐DRUMMOND, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0009
DEANE‐DRUMMOND, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0008
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0007
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0002
A Conversation with Paul Ricoeur
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0003
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0006
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0005
Wisdom, Joy, and Gifts of the Spirit
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.003.0010
Morality's Future and the Transcendent
Deane-Drummond, C. E. (2025) · doi:10.1093/9780191881541.001.0001
What’s Yours Is Mine: Spontaneous Representation and Memorization of Co-Actor’s Goals
Li, Z., Zhu, J. F., Zheng, X., Xu, M., Zhou, J., & Shen, M. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16050690
Simon Effect and Conflict Adaptation in Unimanual Finger Press and Bimanual Tool-Mediated Responses
Malaei, F., & Halberstadt, J. B. (2026) · Journal of Motor Behavior · doi:10.1080/00222895.2026.2719545
Metadata
- Authors
- Marean, C. W.
- Affiliations
- Arizona State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Marean, Curtis W.
- ORCID
- Marean, Curtis W.
- Venue
- Annual Review of Anthropology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2015-10-21
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 533-556
- ISSN
- 0084-6570 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-4290
- OpenAlex
- W2109990105
- Cited by
- 135
- References
- 170
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6
- FWCI
- 12.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Annual Review of Anthropology (publishedVersion)
- Nelson Mandela University Research Repository (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Language and cultural evolution
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- modern human origins, human evolution, social learning, cumulative culture, Homo, Out of Africa, hominin extinction, megafaunal extinction
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
