The Expert Performance Model of Neandertal Cognition

Abstract

Using a combined model from cognitive anthropology and cognitive psychology, the authors present the Expert Performance Model of technical cognition. The model emphasizes the combined action of working memory and long-term memory in which an expert develops rapid access to large procedural encodings held in long-term memory. Such expertise takes years to acquire, and thus apprenticeship is a general requirement of technical cognition. With this model in hand, the authors provide an account of Neandertal technical cognition using Marjorie’s core from Maastricht Belvedere as a primary example. Neandertals were expert stone knappers. Expertise is also the primary form of cognition used by modern humans in technical tasks. In this respect, Neandertals and modern humans are almost indistinguishable. The only apparent difference in expertise lies in the domain of innovation, where an enhanced working memory capacity provided modern humans with an apparent advantage.