[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.65,0:00:08.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We live in a world Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.42,0:00:11.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is absolutely infused\Nwith religion and spirituality, Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.91,0:00:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes even to the point\Nwhere maybe we don't recognize it. Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.02,0:00:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It affects everything from something\Nas simple as the holidays we celebrate, Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.70,0:00:20.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the names that we give our children, Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.71,0:00:24.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to something much more really\Nsaddening and sort of disheartening, Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.02,0:00:27.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is finding a conflict\Non the other side of the world somewhere. Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.35,0:00:28.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, any given day, Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.90,0:00:33.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,somewhere somebody is fighting\Nabout spirituality and religion. Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.12,0:00:37.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, let's take a look at how this all\Nplays out then on a global scale. Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.61,0:00:41.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Depending on whom you talk to,\Nthere's about 20 major world religions - Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.23,0:00:45.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, these are ones that are in more\Nthan one country, more than one continent. Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.67,0:00:47.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Add to that hundreds of belief systems, Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.74,0:00:52.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and out of the 7 billion people who live\Non this planet at this point in time, Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.73,0:00:57.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just under 6 billion profess\Nto follow some sort of faith. Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.31,0:01:01.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I want you to try and imagine\Na world with no religion. Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.35,0:01:02.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What would it look like? Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.25,0:01:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because that is the reality, Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.12,0:01:08.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is if we go far enough back\Ninto our own deep history, Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.90,0:01:12.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was a time, maybe not\Nwith Homo sapiens, maybe further back, Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.62,0:01:15.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where we didn't have any religion. Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.12,0:01:17.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, as you can see in the slide behind me, Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.53,0:01:20.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's a very simplified\Nevolutionary chart, Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.43,0:01:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's a question that people\Nin my field, palaeoanthropology, Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.48,0:01:26.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have asked: How far back\Ndoes the religious impulse go? Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.52,0:01:29.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how would you get at that?\NIt's incredibly subjective, right? Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.78,0:01:32.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, obviously Homo sapiens at the top. Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.63,0:01:35.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that Homo sapiens\Nhave religion, that's us. Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.66,0:01:38.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, what about heidelbergensis\Nbefore us, and erectus, Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.83,0:01:40.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all the way back to Homo hails. Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.98,0:01:43.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, Homo habilis\N2.5 million years ago, Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.87,0:01:47.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're considered to be a good candidate\Nfor the original toolmakers. Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.78,0:01:51.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you might wonder - tools, religion,\Nwhat do these potentially have in common? Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.95,0:01:57.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, if you actually think about\Nwhat a cognitive leap making tools is, Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.73,0:01:59.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are some things in common. Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.60,0:02:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For instance, when you're\Nactually making a tool - Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.54,0:02:06.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you've got one piece of stone\Nand you've got another to shape it - Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.92,0:02:09.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to hold a mental template\Nin your head Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.49,0:02:12.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of what that finished product\Nis going to look like. Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.03,0:02:14.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And also what we find\Nwith these early toolmakers, Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.84,0:02:19.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that they actually were exhibiting\Nforethought and pre-planning. Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.65,0:02:22.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were potentially taking\Na nice piece of flint with them, Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.52,0:02:25.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,along the landscape,\Nso that when their current tool ran out, Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.41,0:02:28.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or got down to kind of a nub,\Nthey could make themselves a new one. Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.56,0:02:31.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, there are some\Nresearchers in my field, Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.76,0:02:34.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially a fellow\Nby the name of Thomas Wynn, Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.06,0:02:37.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has teamed up with a neuropsychologist,\Nby the name of Frederick Coolidge, Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.02,0:02:41.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the two of them have talked\Nabout something called working memory. Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.47,0:02:45.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, it's not one spot in the brain Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.95,0:02:48.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so much as sort of several functions\Nthat kind of work together, Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.99,0:02:52.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that allow things like mental templates\Nand allow things like pre-planning. Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.83,0:02:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, they've made the argument\Nthat even on a very basic level Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.92,0:02:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,chimps probably do have\Nsome working memory as well. Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.58,0:03:00.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, they can also use tools, Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.38,0:03:02.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're just not very good at - Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.06,0:03:04.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, they'll take their stick, Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.52,0:03:07.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they'll rip off the leaves,\Nthey'll use it to dip some termites out, Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.87,0:03:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then they tend to dump it. Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.36,0:03:11.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's pretty much it,\Nthey're done with that tool. Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.87,0:03:15.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, there's not a lot of examples\Nof chimps reusing tools Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.39,0:03:18.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or sort of behaving\Nin exactly the same way Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.26,0:03:20.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as what we see with Homo habilis. Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.61,0:03:24.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with that as sort of the base\Nand that idea of working memory, Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.17,0:03:26.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they've then sort of extrapolated that Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.29,0:03:30.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and said, let's talk about something\Nthat they call enhanced working memory. Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.41,0:03:32.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so enhanced working memory - Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.94,0:03:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,basically there's\Nseveral components to it. Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.96,0:03:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is sort of taking that,\Nand then basically putting it on steroids. Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.44,0:03:41.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, not just that basic mental template\Nand pre-planning, Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.94,0:03:44.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but now let's add to that\Nthe ability to envision Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.29,0:03:45.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and work with abstract concepts. Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.99,0:03:48.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's talk about mental time travel. Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.06,0:03:50.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, what I mean when I say\Nmental time travel, Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.44,0:03:53.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the ability to think about\Npast and future. Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.03,0:03:54.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are actually very unusual things. Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.95,0:03:56.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We take them for granted, Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.52,0:04:00.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they're not something that necessarily\Nother species can conceive of. Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.33,0:04:03.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean obviously your dog seems\Nto remember about going to the vet, Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.57,0:04:05.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is sort of an interesting thing, Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.89,0:04:09.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you know he doesn't have\Na strong sense of clear episodic memories Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.78,0:04:11.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of having been to the vet Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.17,0:04:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so much as this is a bad thing\Nwhen I go into this building, Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.05,0:04:17.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it smells a certain way - and, you know,\Nthis is danger basically flashing. Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.93,0:04:21.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the clear ability to also say,\Nwith mental time travel, Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.68,0:04:24.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"When I tried making a tool\Nusing this material before, Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.30,0:04:25.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this didn't work very well, Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.62,0:04:27.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, I'm going to do it\Ndifferently this time." Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.77,0:04:31.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, "I saw this person in the next\Nhunter-gatherer group over do something. Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.38,0:04:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That worked really nicely,\NI want to do that." Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.57,0:04:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All those kinds of things,\Nas well as being able to think forwards: Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.88,0:04:39.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, pre-planning,\Nbut even at a greater degree. Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.10,0:04:43.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagination, because again the ability\Nto sort of conceive of something, Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.15,0:04:45.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like a mental template\Nwhen you're making a tool, Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.63,0:04:47.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,relies on us being able\Nto visualize something Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.89,0:04:50.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that doesn't actually exist\Nat that moment in time - Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.38,0:04:52.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's more, again,\Nthat we're looking forward. Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.53,0:04:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, of course, the capacity\Nto understand and manipulate symbols. Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.92,0:04:59.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, so, this is where we get to things\Nlike language and to art. Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.31,0:05:02.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you probably saw\NI said the "God spot," Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.75,0:05:05.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we're talking about there is that, Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.20,0:05:08.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,certainly starting in probably about,\NI think, in the 1990's, Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.46,0:05:10.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once we, especially neuropsychologists, Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.38,0:05:12.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once they had their fancy MRI's\Nand other brain scans, Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.92,0:05:14.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they really started looking to see Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.88,0:05:19.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if there was one spot in the brain\Nthat could be associated with God. Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.46,0:05:21.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they even actually did some study Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.83,0:05:24.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where they actually had\Nthe people in the MRI, Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.17,0:05:26.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were like, okay,\Nwe want you to think about Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.88,0:05:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your vision of God or faith\Nor spirituality while you're in here, Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.96,0:05:32.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while we see if we can map\Nthe areas of the brain Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.24,0:05:34.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that light up while we're doing that. Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.31,0:05:36.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they kept getting one spot\Nthat was lighting up, Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.94,0:05:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so it was this huge, like, we did it,\Naha, we found the God spot. Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.33,0:05:43.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Turns out it's the spot that lights up\Nwhen people are concentrating. Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.83,0:05:46.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.49,0:05:48.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we definitely know\Nwhere they concentrate, Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.63,0:05:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but, of course, everybody concentrated\Non thinking about God, Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.69,0:05:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, that was the problem. Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.04,0:05:57.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I think really what neuropsychologists\Nand what people working on evolution Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.20,0:06:00.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are working towards, is the idea\Nthere's probably not one spot. Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.19,0:06:01.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similar to enhanced working memory, Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.92,0:06:04.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's actually\Nseveral parts of the brain Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.02,0:06:06.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are all kind of working together Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.21,0:06:09.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create that space\Nand those types of abilities. Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.78,0:06:12.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, is it all in the lobes? Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.58,0:06:14.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Behind me on the slide what you'll see Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.47,0:06:18.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that on the left-hand side\Nwe have a Homo erectus, Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.09,0:06:20.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that's 1.65 million years ago. Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.41,0:06:23.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then on the right-hand side\Nwe have a Homo sapiens skull Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.27,0:06:25.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from about 20,000 years ago in Germany. Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.35,0:06:28.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,20,000 years ago in Germany,\Ntheir skulls were identical to ours - Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.60,0:06:30.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just thought it might be cooler Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.64,0:06:33.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to use a sort of fossil skull\Nfor Homo sapiens. Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.62,0:06:35.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, what I want you to look at though, Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.56,0:06:38.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that when you see the profile, Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.64,0:06:42.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,erectus has that nice\Nbig brow ridge we think of, Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.21,0:06:44.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you'll notice behind that, Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.04,0:06:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it actually slopes at quite\Na sharp angle backwards. Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.22,0:06:50.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now look at that beautiful,\Nbig, old forehead Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.89,0:06:53.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the Homo sapiens skull. Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.59,0:06:55.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those are the frontal lobes. Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.74,0:07:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is pretty much where all\Nof our higher reasoning comes from, Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.44,0:07:04.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from those spots right there. Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.64,0:07:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, thinking about it,\Nwhat's so interesting Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.32,0:07:09.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that while we sit here, in this room, Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.39,0:07:10.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,having this conversation, Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.62,0:07:13.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you're using those frontal parts\Nof your lobes, aren't you? Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.72,0:07:17.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the question that's come up is: Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.44,0:07:21.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can physically be there,\Nbut is it maybe more about wiring? Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.17,0:07:24.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not just about size,\Nbut then also about how is it wired, Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.27,0:07:27.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how are the neural pathways moving. Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.01,0:07:29.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, this is where\Nthe scholars I mentioned, Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.36,0:07:31.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wynn and Coolidge working together, Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.22,0:07:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have made the argument that they believe\Nthat the truly modern thought, Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.95,0:07:39.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that ability [which includes]\Nimagination, mental time travel, Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.61,0:07:41.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they believe it started\Nwith modern humans. Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.65,0:07:44.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what do I mean\Nwhen I say modern humans? Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.58,0:07:46.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,About 200,000 years ago, Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.28,0:07:48.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we've been able to find\Nthe earliest skeletons, Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.64,0:07:51.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we currently have of what\Nwe would call fully modern humans. Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.85,0:07:55.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That means that their skeletons\Nwere identical to ours, Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.21,0:07:57.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their brain size was exactly the same. Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.90,0:07:59.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, that doesn't mean though, Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.77,0:08:02.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they were actually using\Nall of the abilities we had, Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.60,0:08:05.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is something\Nthat is a particular area of mine Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.36,0:08:08.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I find really fascinating,\Nas well, trying to figure out: Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.37,0:08:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When did they become us? Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.06,0:08:12.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because we're more\Nthan just the brain size and the body, Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.89,0:08:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's also about how we use that brain. Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.15,0:08:18.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what's so fascinating\Nabout the early humans in Africa, Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.40,0:08:22.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that, for probably about the first\N80,000 years or so, Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.74,0:08:24.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're not really doing much different Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.61,0:08:26.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the ancestor species\Nthat came before them. Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.90,0:08:28.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're making really nice tools, Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.91,0:08:31.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,surviving quite well,\Nmaking good use of their landscape, Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.71,0:08:33.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all of those types of things are in place. Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.93,0:08:38.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what we're not seeing is those kinds\Nof behaviours that make us go: They're us. Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.88,0:08:42.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, suddenly,\Naround 120,000 years ago, Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.45,0:08:46.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what starts happening\Nis we suddenly start finding Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.07,0:08:48.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we call symbolic behaviour. Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.41,0:08:50.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what we mean when we say that Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.06,0:08:52.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are things that we would consider\Nto be non-utilitarian. Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.80,0:08:59.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, not something that's useful\Nat a very 1:1 ratio level of survival, Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.83,0:09:01.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something to keep you warm at night, Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.90,0:09:03.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something to eat,\Nsomething to shelter you. Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.39,0:09:06.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We start finding burials. Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.10,0:09:10.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,120,000 years ago is the oldest burials\Nwe know of in the world, Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.54,0:09:14.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not just burials but burials\Nwith grave goods in them. Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.46,0:09:18.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, in this case, what we're talking\Nabout at the 120,000 mark - Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.90,0:09:22.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they were finding a few marine shells\Nthat have perforations, Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.34,0:09:25.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and some of the perforations look\Nlike they probably occurred naturally, Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.73,0:09:27.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some may have been made by tools, Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.90,0:09:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the kicker is that those little holes\Nin the shells have wear marks on them, Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.20,0:09:36.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which means that they were\Nbeing worn in some fashion. Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.01,0:09:39.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, there's nothing about doing that\Nthat is remotely useful Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.23,0:09:42.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for again heat, shelter, food. Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.25,0:09:44.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what's going on?\NWhat's happened? What's changed? Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.96,0:09:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is kind of\Nthe story going forward, Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.54,0:09:50.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is again where Wynn and Coolidge\Nhave made this argument, Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.95,0:09:52.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and other scholars have as well, Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.52,0:09:55.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that modern humans is where\Nthat big change takes place. Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.40,0:10:00.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They've made the argument potentially even\Nthat the change started here, Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.41,0:10:03.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that some sort of genetic mutation\Nor something else Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.35,0:10:05.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happened around 40-50,000 years ago, Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.54,0:10:08.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that that was\Nwhen truly modern behaviour, Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.53,0:10:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the full suite of behaviours\Nthat we associate with being modern, Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.52,0:10:17.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,music and mathematics and the ability\Nto envision things that aren't there, Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.43,0:10:20.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all of these things\Nwhich are very much about us, Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.37,0:10:23.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, of course, full language,\Ncommunication, all that kind of thing. Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.63,0:10:26.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They see it as happening\Naround 40-50,00 years ago, Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.59,0:10:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which coincides with\Nwhen modern humans left Africa. Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.49,0:10:31.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe it might have been\Nas early as 60,000, Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.70,0:10:34.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so somewhere in that 40-60,000 range, Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.05,0:10:36.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is when modern humans left Africa Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.06,0:10:38.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and basically went out\Nand populated the Old World. Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.76,0:10:42.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'm personally going to talk to you\Ntonight about the Ice Age in Europe, Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.78,0:10:45.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's not that there weren't\Ninteresting things being done Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.89,0:10:48.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by modern humans who went\Nto other parts of the Old World. Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.67,0:10:51.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Asia and Australia,\Nthere's lots of fascinating stuff, Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.41,0:10:53.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I study the Ice Age,\Nso it's what I know best. Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.90,0:10:57.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, that's where we're going to stick\Nwith, looking at the Ice Age, today. Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.46,0:11:00.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When it comes to Europe,\Nlet's set the scene a little bit. Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.23,0:11:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously, we've got an Ice Age going on, Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.39,0:11:05.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and an Ice Age is not static by any means. Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.52,0:11:07.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We certainly have movement\Nof the glacier sheets, Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.86,0:11:11.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but overall definitely colder,\Nan icy environment, Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.49,0:11:13.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but very rich in animals as well. Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.73,0:11:15.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Huge herds of bison and mammoth Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.27,0:11:17.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all these other things\Non the landscape. Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.42,0:11:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, lots of things to eat,\Nwhich was kind of a pull factor Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.24,0:11:22.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that probably kept modern humans there. Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.16,0:11:26.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They show up in Europe somewhere around\N40,000, even 45,000, in some spots, Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.23,0:11:28.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they spread out around there, Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.01,0:11:33.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this again coincides with what\Nwe call the creative explosion, sometimes. Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.09,0:11:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not that they weren't doing\Ninteresting things before, Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.91,0:11:38.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this is when it starts\Ngetting really interesting. Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.53,0:11:41.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is when we start finding\Na lot of symbolic materials, Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.52,0:11:45.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like portable art pieces and lots\Nof jewellery and other interesting things, Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.81,0:11:48.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the archaeological record\Nalongside the stone tools. Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.28,0:11:50.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what would we look for? Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.91,0:11:53.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's go back to this idea\Nof religion and spirituality, Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.74,0:11:56.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you get that\Nin the archaeological record. Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.37,0:11:58.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because, if you think about that far back, Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.44,0:12:00.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,basically, we're working with stone tools. Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.67,0:12:02.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, there's not really much to go at, Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.63,0:12:05.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so how do we start trying\Nto move beyond that, Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.77,0:12:08.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and actually look for\Nthese indirect clues? Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.68,0:12:11.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, there's three main things\Nthat people in my field tend to use Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.83,0:12:13.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking at that. Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.17,0:12:15.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first is burials\Nwith elaborate grave goods. Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.82,0:12:18.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the necklace itself\Nat the 120,000 mark, Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.97,0:12:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,very interesting, very cool, Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.90,0:12:22.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we can take that a bit farther, Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.85,0:12:27.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and say: What about if they're putting\Nlots of elaborate items into that burial? Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.91,0:12:29.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Impossible entities being depicted. Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.89,0:12:32.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when I use the term\Nimpossible entities, Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.16,0:12:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're referring to things\Nthat do not appear anywhere in nature. Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.62,0:12:39.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we're not referring\Nto anything in the real world. Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.96,0:12:42.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Something that's, say,\Nhalf-animal, half-human, Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.30,0:12:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would be an impossible entity. Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.97,0:12:47.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, of course, trying to identify\Nmagic and spiritual themes Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.21,0:12:48.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the art itself. Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.63,0:12:50.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is on portable pieces\Nand, of course, Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.86,0:12:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my particular area of study,\Nthe cave walls. Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.14,0:12:56.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, to quickly go over a couple of these Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.08,0:12:58.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'll give you some ideas\Nof what we're seeing. Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.73,0:13:01.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For an elaborate burial,\Nthis one is a very famous burial Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.59,0:13:03.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's an absolutely fascinating one. Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.69,0:13:06.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is actually one\Nof three burials from this site. Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.18,0:13:08.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This particular one is the adult male, Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.34,0:13:11.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's about 28,000 years old,\Nit's from Russia, Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.94,0:13:16.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you notice there's little white things\Nall over his skeleton there. Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.21,0:13:17.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those are ivory beads. Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.75,0:13:22.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are approximately\N3,500 ivory beads in this burial. Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.68,0:13:25.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,An archaeologist in our field,\Nhis name's Randy White, Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.24,0:13:27.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually went to the effort\Nof trying to do Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.51,0:13:29.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we call experimental archaeology. Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.44,0:13:32.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he actually took\Nthe mammoth ivory and practiced Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.22,0:13:34.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until he could get quite good\Nat making the beads, Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.68,0:13:37.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even when he was good at it,\Nit took an hour per bead. Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.65,0:13:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do the math on that. Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.39,0:13:41.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then on top of that,\Nwe actually have the fact Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.85,0:13:44.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the two other burials\Nat that particular site Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.20,0:13:45.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are actually of two children. Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.51,0:13:48.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A little boy and a little girl, Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.07,0:13:50.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're buried in a double burial. Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.02,0:13:51.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The little boy has 4,500 beads, Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.91,0:13:54.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so 1,000 more than the adult male, Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.13,0:13:56.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the little girl has over 5,000. Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.40,0:13:59.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what we're seeing here then\Nis potentially the fact Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.46,0:14:03.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they're seeing death as being a state\Nthat's different than life, Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.58,0:14:06.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and yet worth recognizing\Nand worth paying attention to, Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.50,0:14:08.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and worth acknowledging, and, frankly, Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.62,0:14:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,worth the sheer amount of effort\Nof making all those beads Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.70,0:14:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only to bury them in the ground\Nand cover them up. Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.04,0:14:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, something is definitely\Ngoing on in that sense. Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.78,0:14:21.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, of course, we come\Nto impossible entities. Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.10,0:14:23.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this one is a wonderful,\Nclassic example. Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.51,0:14:27.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is an ivory carved figurine,\Nit's probably about this tall. Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.29,0:14:29.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Head of a lion, body of a human. Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.05,0:14:32.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Again coming back to that,\Nthat doesn't exist anywhere in nature. Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.24,0:14:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what's going on?\NWhy are they depicting this? Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.75,0:14:36.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not a self-representation. Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.45,0:14:39.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there's people in my field\Nwho have made the proposal Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.45,0:14:41.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that, maybe, this could be\Nsome sort of mythology, Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.90,0:14:44.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something to do with origin stories\Nand things like that. Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.100,0:14:47.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, there's these interesting examples Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.03,0:14:49.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that exist throughout\Nthe archaeological record. Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.43,0:14:51.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That particular one\Nis about 32,000 years old. Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.52,0:14:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What about hunting magic? Dialogue: 0,0:14:55.08,0:14:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I say hunting magic, I mean this, Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.16,0:14:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is from the cave\Ncalled Niaux, in France, Dialogue: 0,0:14:59.32,0:15:02.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you've got a bison\Nthat's painted on a cave wall, Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.57,0:15:05.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you notice it looks like\Nthere's almost some sort of spear Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.73,0:15:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sticking out of its side. Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.09,0:15:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, in this case what people have proposed Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.73,0:15:14.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that what we could be seeing is them\Nalmost trying to kill the animal Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.49,0:15:16.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ritually in the cave first, Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.31,0:15:19.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to ensure success\Nwhen they go out on the real hunt. Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.37,0:15:22.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we do have some examples\Nwhere there's not just the spears, Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.79,0:15:26.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but there's also punctuation marks, Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.11,0:15:29.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which almost looks like maybe somebody\Nwas banging a real spear or something Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.84,0:15:31.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the image on the wall. Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.80,0:15:34.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, again, that suggests\Nsome sort of harnessing Dialogue: 0,0:15:34.72,0:15:38.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of some unseen world -\Nthere's something going on. Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.07,0:15:41.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then this is another great example\Nhere of an impossible entity Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.51,0:15:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which has also been potentially\Nidentified as being a shaman. Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.01,0:15:47.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, the reason why they say that\Nis the idea that: Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.89,0:15:49.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if they were wearing a mask? Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.63,0:15:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if this, rather than being\Nan impossible entity, Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.36,0:15:56.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is an actual depiction of a human\Npartially dressed up like an animal? Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.02,0:15:58.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You see the legs have\Na much more human look, Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.28,0:16:01.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're not very bison-like,\Nyet the head has that very bison look, Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.52,0:16:03.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the arms are also very human. Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.16,0:16:07.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, this is where they started to talk\Nabout the idea of shamanistic practices, Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.93,0:16:10.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because shamans, of course - Dialogue: 0,0:16:10.32,0:16:12.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the term itself comes from Russia, Dialogue: 0,0:16:12.65,0:16:16.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's applied a lot\Nto basically spiritual practices Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.30,0:16:19.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where there are\Nspecific members of your tribe Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.04,0:16:21.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who intercede on your behalf\Nwith an unseen world. Dialogue: 0,0:16:21.74,0:16:24.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whether it's to influence weather,\Nto influence the hunt, Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.82,0:16:26.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or to do with health, Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.39,0:16:29.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and with people being sick\Nand trying to make them better again, Dialogue: 0,0:16:29.50,0:16:31.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's these people that do that. Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.21,0:16:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what's so interesting about\Nsome modern examples, for instance, Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.24,0:16:39.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that there is a fellow\Nby the name of David Lewis-Williams, Dialogue: 0,0:16:39.45,0:16:43.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who is a researcher in rock art\Nwho works in South Africa, Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.02,0:16:47.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he had the wonderful opportunity\Nto actually speak with the San people, Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.27,0:16:50.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are a hunter-gatherer group\Nliving in northern Southern Africa. Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.49,0:16:52.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They live out in the desert, Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.10,0:16:54.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and still practice\Nthe hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.52,0:16:56.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And guess what? They still do rock art. Dialogue: 0,0:16:56.76,0:17:00.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, here had the opportunity to ask them,\N"So, why do you guys do the art?" Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.40,0:17:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, it doesn't explain all the art, Dialogue: 0,0:17:02.44,0:17:05.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but certainly shamanistic practices\Nplayed a large role in it. Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.50,0:17:07.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things like handprints. Dialogue: 0,0:17:07.23,0:17:09.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They talked about the idea that caves Dialogue: 0,0:17:09.44,0:17:13.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were almost like a transitional place\Nbetween worlds. Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.56,0:17:15.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That once you go into a cave - Dialogue: 0,0:17:15.33,0:17:17.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we go in with headlamps and lots of light, Dialogue: 0,0:17:17.44,0:17:19.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we know what a cave is, geologically. Dialogue: 0,0:17:19.49,0:17:21.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But imagine if you didn't know. Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.10,0:17:24.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It almost has a feel of maybe being\Na portal to another reality. Dialogue: 0,0:17:24.30,0:17:27.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they've talked about\Nthe idea of those cave walls Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.17,0:17:30.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as almost being maybe membranes\Nthat they could touch, Dialogue: 0,0:17:30.17,0:17:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and through those membranes\Ntouch the unseen. Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.20,0:17:35.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, now, we get specifically Dialogue: 0,0:17:35.17,0:17:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a research project\Nthat I've been working on, Dialogue: 0,0:17:37.44,0:17:39.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I said, okay,\Nwell, let's try with this, Dialogue: 0,0:17:39.65,0:17:43.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because, of course, modern people\Nin Africa doing this - Dialogue: 0,0:17:43.48,0:17:46.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,minimum of 10,000 years' difference\Nbetween what's happening in Europe, Dialogue: 0,0:17:46.88,0:17:49.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could we get at that? Is it possible? Dialogue: 0,0:17:49.03,0:17:53.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are we seeing on the walls, potentially,\Nsome of the trance-like imagery Dialogue: 0,0:17:53.74,0:17:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which they have said\Nthat that's why they're doing it. Dialogue: 0,0:17:56.32,0:18:00.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because you see, the actual human mind - Dialogue: 0,0:18:00.64,0:18:04.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously, trance is when we go\Ninto an altered state of consciousness. Dialogue: 0,0:18:04.20,0:18:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's many things that will be\Nculturally specific to where you live, Dialogue: 0,0:18:07.74,0:18:09.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the animals you see in the imagery, Dialogue: 0,0:18:09.86,0:18:13.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but geometric imagery\Nactually happens to be almost universal. Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.35,0:18:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the reason for that Dialogue: 0,0:18:14.72,0:18:19.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is our eyes are only hard-wired\Nto be able to produce certain shapes Dialogue: 0,0:18:19.44,0:18:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we're in a state of trance. Dialogue: 0,0:18:21.22,0:18:23.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so this is where,\Nwhat I've looked at is, Dialogue: 0,0:18:23.54,0:18:26.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can we find those in the caves in Europe. Dialogue: 0,0:18:26.32,0:18:27.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the study is still ongoing, Dialogue: 0,0:18:27.84,0:18:30.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I thought I'd share a little\Nwith you today, Dialogue: 0,0:18:30.36,0:18:32.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which was that with dots,\Nwith lines, with grids, Dialogue: 0,0:18:32.92,0:18:35.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yes, absolutely, we're finding those. Dialogue: 0,0:18:35.19,0:18:37.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, some of the other ones, not so much. Dialogue: 0,0:18:37.67,0:18:41.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Zigzags, there's only\Nabout 15 examples over 300 sites Dialogue: 0,0:18:41.76,0:18:43.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that have zigzags in them. Dialogue: 0,0:18:43.57,0:18:48.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, they're not totally behaving the way\Nthat the people in, say, South Africa are. Dialogue: 0,0:18:48.09,0:18:50.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When it comes to spirals,\Nthere's only two. Dialogue: 0,0:18:50.77,0:18:53.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, in that sense spirals\Nare even more uncommon, Dialogue: 0,0:18:53.85,0:18:57.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not something that we're seeing\Nthroughout the archaeological record. Dialogue: 0,0:18:57.47,0:18:59.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what does that mean? Dialogue: 0,0:18:59.17,0:19:01.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, what it suggests to me - Dialogue: 0,0:19:01.11,0:19:03.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can't give you a definitive answer, Dialogue: 0,0:19:03.11,0:19:07.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and say, "Yes, absolutely, there were\Nspiritual people living back then." Dialogue: 0,0:19:07.77,0:19:10.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, the signs are\Ndefinitely there to suggest Dialogue: 0,0:19:10.10,0:19:12.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this was something that was developing, Dialogue: 0,0:19:12.12,0:19:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something that existed. Dialogue: 0,0:19:13.50,0:19:16.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'll leave you\Nwith the thought that they're us. Dialogue: 0,0:19:16.07,0:19:17.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In every sense of the word, Dialogue: 0,0:19:17.55,0:19:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those people who lived between 10,000\Nand 40,000 years ago were modern humans. Dialogue: 0,0:19:21.40,0:19:24.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if we're capable of it,\Nwhy wouldn't they have been? Dialogue: 0,0:19:24.07,0:19:25.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you. Dialogue: 0,0:19:25.38,0:19:29.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)