Page 287 - Flipping book The Adam Paradox Hypothesis - Second Edition.pdf

Glossary
Adam Paradox Hypothesis (APH)
The idea that anatomically modern humans existed for hundreds of thousands of
years, but true humanity began only after a sudden threshold event around 70,000
years ago, when language, imagination, and moral responsibility ignited.
Anatomical Modernity
The stage where human bodies and brains resembled ours, even if symbolic
thought had not yet appeared. Fossils like Jebel Irhoud and Omo Kibish show this
readiness.
Aurignacian
An early European culture (~43,000 years ago) known for cave art, figurines,
ornaments, and musical instruments, marking the full flowering of symbolic
humanity.
Beacon
A guiding metaphor that directs scientific inquiry. In APH, four beacons are
emphasized: clay (body), names (language), spirit (imagination), and trust (moral
responsibility).
Blombos Cave
A South African site with engraved ochre and beads (~77,000 years ago). Among
the earliest clear evidence of symbolic culture.
Bottleneck
A sharp reduction in human population size, leaving only a small group to pass on
genes. Critical in shaping the human genome and preparing humanity for ignition.
Cave Art
Paintings and engravings found on cave walls worldwide (e.g., Chauvet in France,
Sulawesi in Indonesia). They show the global rise of symbolism after 70k years ago.
Chauvet Cave
A cave in France with stunning animal paintings (~35,000 years ago), part of the
Cognitive Revolution’s symbolic flowering.
Cognitive Revolution
The sudden global leap in symbolic thought, producing language, art, rituals, and
myth. Marks the true beginning of cultural humanity.
Culture-Alone Model
The belief that cumulative culture explains human uniqueness. Critiqued in APH
for ignoring the ignition of symbols needed to stabilize culture.
Dunbar’s Number
An anthropological concept suggesting humans can maintain stable social ties with
about 150 people without symbols. Symbols allowed cooperation at much larger
scales.