Question

There is much debate among scientists about when, where, and how anatomically modern humans achieved behavioral modernity. Some researchers suggest that about 50,000 years ago a genetic mutation acted to rewire the human brain, allowing for an advance in language and other related modern behaviors. Others proposeA) that drastic climatic changes 40,000 years ago led archaic humans to turn to ritual-a definite sign of behavioral modernity-to explain the unforeseen environmental changes that suddenly altered their way of life.B) that the advent of the nuclear family within larger nomadic groups made possible intense social interactions that triggered more complex social behaviors.C) a culinary hypothesis, suggesting that Homo's capacity to increase the range of foods in the diet triggered the necessary brain development to make modern behaviors possible.D) that instead of a sudden event in Europe due to a mutation, behavioral modernity resulted from a slow process of cultural accumulation within Africa, where Homo sapiens became fully human long before 40,000 years ago.E) a hearth hypothesis, suggesting that the most important trigger to behavioral modernity was Homo's capacity, achieved 50,000 years ago, to manipulate fire and thus live in caves and cook their meat.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D)

Step-by-step explanation:

Many investigations have used genetic, fossil and archaeological evidence in order to discern which were the 'critical moments' in human evolution. From a behavioral perspective, it is clear that modern humans have acquired many characteristics of their African ancestors.

Originally, it had been proposed that modern behavioral innovations emerged suddenly, this model is known as the 'human revolution' theory. However, current evidence strongly suggests that modern behavioral innovations might have occurred in the final stage of the Middle Stone Age (and even later) in Africa. Different human technologies and behavioral characteristics such as bone tools, systematic processing techniques, trade in long distances, specialized hunting, utilization of pigments for art purposes, etc., have been found in Africa and dated to this period.

You can read this interesting paper:

McBrearty, S., & Brooks, A. S. (2000). The revolution that wasn't: a new interpretation of the origin of modern human behavior. Journal of human evolution, 39(5), 453-563.