Operationalizing niche construction theory with stone tools

One of the greatest difficulties with evolutionary approaches in study stone tools (lithics) has been finding a mechanism for tying culture and biology way that preserves human agency operates at scales are visible archaeological record. The concept niche construction, whereby organisms actively construct their environments change conditions selection, could provide solution to this problem. In review, we evaluate utility construction theory (NCT) tool archaeology. We apply NCT lithics both as part “extended phenotype” residuals or precipitates other niche-constructing activities, suggesting ways which archaeologists can employ feedbacks generate testable hypotheses about use. Finally, conclude that, far its applicability lithic archaeology, compares favorably prominent approaches, such behavioral ecology dual-inheritance theory.