What can early civilisation teach us about brain evolution and culture?

Rapid global climate change 11,600 years ago, at the end of a time known as the Younger Dryas, cataclysmically reshaped global weather. Humanity had to make huge adjustments as familiar places and food sources suddenly disappeared. How did the people who survived those changes adapt in ways that shape our societies today?

Renowned archaeologist Dr Leslie Van Gelder ONZM says her work studying prehistoric cave art is a story related to climate change, and the impact of brain evolution on people's ability to maintain a relatively stable worldview.

Critical to this is small community size and social engagement. She says the magic number for primates like us is five whom you would do anything for, and a maximum community of 150.

“But the world we are in right now is so different from what we are wired for. Modern brains can't evolve that quickly.”

At her November 19 Catalyst Kōrero, Leslie will discuss how lessons from prehistory about brain evolution, community and social engagement could help us understand the impacts of social media and climate change on current society.

“We have 150 relational parking spots in our brain, but if most of these are consumed by social media or political figures we don’t know, there is no parking space left for interactions with the natural world or other people.” 

About the speaker:

New York-born Leslie Van Gelder is an archaeologist, strategist, conservationist and Professor of Education at Walden University.  Her work focuses on the intersections between people and place from the Upper Paleolithic to today, with a special emphasis on the role of climate change and impacts on humanity across time. In 2008, she moved to the Rees Valley, from where she continues this research and lecturing internationally. She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation and Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the King's Birthday Honours this year.

Thursday 19 November, 6.30 to 8 pm, The Rees Hotel Queenstown. Register to ensure your seat. Please donate online or bring cash for your koha, which will be given to Winterstellar Charitable Trust.