Measuring ancient technological complexity and its cognitive implications using Petri nets

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel application of Petri net analysis to Paleolithic archaeology, enabling the quantification of technological complexity and its cognitive implications across ancient species.

Contribution

It presents a new method using Petri nets to infer cognitive differences from ancient material culture, linking technological complexity to cognitive functions.

Findings

Neanderthal tar production may have required working memory similar to humans.

The method distinguishes high-order cognitive functions like planning and inhibitory control.

Applicable across different materials, technologies, and species for studying cognitive evolution.

Abstract

We implement a method from computer sciences to address a challenge in Paleolithic archaeology: how to infer cognition differences from material culture. Archaeological material culture is linked to cognition: more complex ancient technologies are assumed to have required complex cognition. We present an application of Petri net analysis to compare Neanderthal tar production technologies and tie the results to cognitive requirements. We applied three complexity metrics, each relying on their own unique definitions of complexity, to the modelled production sequences. Based on the results, we suggest that Neanderthal working memory requirements may have been similar to human preferences regarding working memory use today. This method also enables us to distinguish the high-order cognitive functions combining traits like planning, inhibitory control, and learnings that were likely required by different ancient technological processes. The Petri net approach can contribute to our understanding of technology and cognitive evolution as it can be used on different materials and technologies, across time and species.