Cognitive Archaeology and the Evolution of Geometric Cognition
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 01/03/2019

Philosophy of mathematical practice proposes a triple approach regarding the genesis and development of knowledge: cognitive, pragmatist and historical. Summing up, it depends on biological and cultural constraints, it is oriented to human actions, and its historical essence is assumed. To understand the cognitive abilities that helped the development of geometric thought, we need to take back our analysis to the material archaeological record, cognitively interpreted. There is a huge amount of material record that has to do with proto-geometry, such as cave art, personal ornament, constructions with a special relationship with the landscape – like buildings that have some relation with timekeeping and some kind of proto-astronomy and so on. All these practices foment in some way the improvement of our cognitive abilities related to our geometric thinking and, thus, a systematic analysis of these practices would have to be carried out. 

Manuel J. Garcia-Perez (University of Seville)