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Primate Material Culture

Humle, Tatyana (2010) Primate Material Culture. In: Hicks, Dan and Beaudry, Marie C., eds. Oxford Handbook of Material Culture Studies. Oxford University Press, pp. 406-424. ISBN 978-0-19-921871-4. (doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199218714.013.0017) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:43509)

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Abstract

This article focuses on the idea of material culture in primates. The ascription of culture to non-human animals has been controversial and a source of much debate. Much of this debate hinges on the definition of culture. This article cites the classic definition by Tylor which says that culture as ‘that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society’. The term ‘culture’ was first used in relation to non-human primates by Kummer. This article explains elementary technology among primates which concerns predominantly subsistence behaviours, expressed in, often complex, foraging techniques. Elementary technology among wild primates is typically based on natural materials, whether vegetation or non-organic matter. The various processes involved in the transmission of material culture are explained in detail. An in-depth analysis of the conditions of material culture followed by a study of culture among primates concludes this article.

Item Type: Book section
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199218714.013.0017
Uncontrolled keywords: material culture; primates; culture; morals; customs; culture among primates
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Q Science > QL Zoology
S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Tatyana Humle
Date Deposited: 20 Oct 2014 12:57 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:17 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43509 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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