Review of “The Prehistory of the Mind” by Steven Mithen (original) (raw)

The review critically assesses Steven Mithen's work "The Prehistory of the Mind," highlighting its strengths in synthesizing existing knowledge while challenging its claims of advancing understanding of human cognition through archaeology. The reviewer questions Mithen's rejection of computational analogies for the mind and critiques his neglect of the emotional and biological aspects of cognition, pointing out anatomical and genetic inconsistencies in his arguments. In conclusion, the review acknowledges progress in cognitive archaeology but asserts that significant gaps remain in understanding the complexities of prehistoric thought.