08.17.10
Pets Vital to Human Evolution
http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets-humans-evolution.html
Pets Vital to Human Evolution
Without cats, dogs, cows and chickens, we may not have made it this
far.
By Larry O’Hanlon
Tue Aug 10, 2010 07:00 AM ET
10 Comments | Leave a Comment
THE GIST
* Meat-eating and animal domestication separated humans from other
apes.
* Taking in animals is uniquely human and seems counterproductive
at first.
* Hunting and caring for animals drove the development of
technology and languages.
Dogs, cats, cows and other domesticated animals played a key role in
human evolution, according to a theory being published by
paleoanthropologist Pat Shipman of Penn State University.
The uniquely human habit of taking in and employing animals — even
competitors like wolves — spurred on human tool-making and language,
which have both driven humanity’s success, Shipman says.
“Wherever you go in the world, whatever ecosystem, whatever culture,
people live with animals,” Shipman told Discovery News……
NAIA News
National Animal Interest Alliance
