Genes, culture and agriculture : an example of human niche construction
View/ Open
Date
08/2012Funder
Grant ID
Metadata
Show full item recordAltmetrics Handle Statistics
Altmetrics DOI Statistics
Abstract
Theory and empirical data from a variety of disciplines strongly imply that recent human history involves extensive gene-culture coevolution, much of it as a direct result of human agricultural practices. Here we draw on niche-construction theory (NCT) and gene-culture coevolutionary theory (GCT) to propose a broad theoretical framework (NCT-GCT) with which archaeologists and anthropologists can explore coevolutionary dynamics. Humans are enormously potent niche constructors, and understanding how niche construction regulates ecosystem dynamics is central to understanding the impact of human populations on their ecological and developmental environments. We use as primary examples the evolution of dairying by Neolithic groups in Europe and Africa and the rise of the “sickle-cell allele” among certain agricultural groups in West Africa and suggest that these examples are broadly representative of much of human recent history. Although the core aspects of these case studies are familiar, we lay out the examples with a specific NCT-GCT focus, which allows us to highlight how archaeology, when coupled with genetic research, can play an important role in better understanding human history. Finally, we suggest that the NCT-GCT perspective is likely to be of widespread general utility because it inherently promotes consideration of the active agency of humans, and other organisms, in modifying their ecological and developmental niches and naturally draws attention to the various forms of feedback that flow from human activities at multiple levels, in multiple populations, and across multiple species.
Citation
O'Brien , M & Laland , K N 2012 , ' Genes, culture and agriculture : an example of human niche construction ' , Current Anthropology , vol. 53 , no. 4 , pp. 434-470 . https://doi.org/10.1086/666585
Publication
Current Anthropology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0011-3204Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright 2012 by The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. All rights reserved
Description
K. N. Laland was supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (EVOCULTURE).Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.