Steps Toward a Cognitive Science of Prehistory

Explore the intersection of cognitive science and prehistory in this 39-minute lecture by Scott Ortman, Omidyar Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into the study of the Mesa Verde Society and examine how metaphoric expression, conceptual metaphors, and the invariance principle shape our understanding of ancient cultures. Investigate the role of blending in cultural evolution and linguistic metaphor. Analyze how these cognitive concepts manifest in prehistoric artifacts such as pottery, motifs, looms, marble, and cotton. Gain insights into how cognitive science can illuminate our understanding of prehistoric societies and their material culture.

Intro
Mesa Verde Society
Metaphoric Expression
Metaphor and Speech
Conceptual Metaphors
Invariance Principle
Blending
Metaphor is experiential
Cultural evolution
Linguistic metaphor
Pottery
Motifs
Looms
Marble
Cotton