[54] Sarah Newman — Did We Learn Culture from Animals?

Sarah Newman is a zooarcheologist, specialising in animal remains and what they tell about the interaction between humans and animals in the distant past. Her research projects took her to investigate the impact of humans on the landscape and on natural systems among the ancient Mayans and the inhabitants of ancient Jordan. Working on ancient beaver dams and early wooden buildings in which humans had clearly reused tree trunks felled by beavers, she had a fascinating idea: what if early humans got inspiration from special animal skills such as felling trees, damming water, building with wood, and even creating art? What if the division between culture and nature that seemed essential for centuries simply melts away if we allow the idea that there was collaboration and even co-creation between humans and animals, as animal culture and skills were acquired and combined by early humanity?

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