> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Reference:: https://www.stoneageinstitute.org/ > Tags:: #warp #archeology > WeftLinks:: [[Historical value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft helps us understand the past]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > The Stone Age Institute’s approach to understanding the past is deeply rooted in the study and recreation of ancient crafts, particularly stone tool-making, to shed light on the evolution of human cognition, behaviour, and culture. ### Highlights Because early hominids left no written records, the Stone Age Institute relies heavily on _actualistic studies_-using modern experiments and observations to infer ancient behaviors. This involves recreating ancient crafts, especially the making of stone tools, to understand the skills, decisions, and cognitive processes involved. By teaching modern humans (and even apes) to make stone tools, researchers can observe the learning process, the types of mistakes made, and the gradual acquisition of expertise, which provides insights into the capabilities and challenges faced by our ancestors