Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2012, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (03): 269-278.

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The emergence and the regional variability of modern humans and their behavior

QU Tong-li   

  • Online:2012-09-15 Published:2012-09-15

Abstract: The questions of how and when modern humans emerged in different regions of the world and what happened to the local archaic population has received much attention over decades. This paper provides a summary of the worldwide archaeological record and research on this topic, and especially examines what we know and what we do not know on the emergence of modern human and modern behavior in East Asia. This paper presents a discussion of various human behavioral patterns and techno-cultures by region. The regional character of technology and cultural expression is proposed to be the result of human adaptation and the choice of lifeway decisions made in various natural and social circumstances. Similar technological concepts, knowledge and skills shown in different regions indicate evidence for modern population migration and cultural exchange.

Key words: Modern human; Modern behavior; Regional variability; Human adaptation