Primate Archaeology

Abstract

Primate Archaeology is a novel field of research that has had transformed our knowledge about the origins and evolution of technology. It expanded the focus of traditional archaeological studies from humans to all primates that are tool-users. Research in this area focuses on present and past processes of tool-making, use and site formation in extant and extinct primates, such as chimpanzees and monkeys. The discipline is flourishing and is at the forefront of key scientific developments in the fields of primatology, archaeology and palaeoanthropology. In this article, we provide an historical overview of the discipline, describe main methodological tools, highlight key case studies and discuss implications of recent findings and future research directions.