黑猩猩或具备文化演化能力
北京3月7日电（记者孙自法）一项发表在《自然-人类行为》期刊上的最新研究表明，黑猩猩可能具备累积文化演化的能力，这曾被认为是人类独有的特征。
该研究由英国圣安德鲁斯大学和德国马克斯·普朗克进化人类学研究所的科学家共同完成。研究人员观察了生活在乌干达基巴莱国家公园的黑猩猩，发现它们能够通过社会化学习，从互相观察中习得新技能。
在实验中，研究人员向黑猩猩展示了一种新的取食工具，这种工具由一根树枝和一块石头组成。起初，只有少数黑猩猩会使用这种工具，但随着时间的推移，越来越多的黑猩猩学会了如何使用它。
研究人员认为，黑猩猩的这种学习行为表明，它们可能具备累积文化演化的能力。累积文化演化是指随着时间的推移，文化知识和技能在群体中逐渐积累和完善的过程。此前，这一能力被认为是人类独有的，因为人类拥有语言和符号系统，可以将知识和技能代代相传。
然而，这项研究表明，黑猩猩可以通过社会化学习，在没有语言或符号系统的情况下，积累和传递文化知识。这表明，累积文化演化可能并不是人类独有的特征，而是灵长类动物中更广泛存在的一种能力。
研究人员表示，这项研究为理解人类文化演化的起源提供了新的见解，并表明动物认知能力可能比我们想象的更复杂。
英语如下：
**Headline:** Chimpanzees Display ‘Uniquely Human’ Ability: CumulativeCultural Evolution
**Keywords:**
**News Content:** Chimpanzees May Possess Capacity for Cumulative Cultural Evolution
Beijing, March 7 (Reporter SunZifa) – A recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour suggests that chimpanzees may possess the ability for cumulative cultural evolution, a trait previously thought to be unique to humans.
The study was conducted by scientists from the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology inGermany. Researchers observed chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park in Uganda and found that they were able to learn new skills through social learning, by observing each other.
In the experiment, researchers introduced a novel feeding tool to the chimpanzees, consisting of a stick and a stone. Initially, only a few chimpanzees used the tool, but over time, more and more chimpanzees learned how to use it.
The researchers believe that this learning behavior in chimpanzees suggests that they may possess the capacity for cumulative cultural evolution. Cumulative cultural evolution refers to the process by which cultural knowledge and skills gradually accumulate and refine over time within a population. Previously, this ability was thought to be unique to humans, as humans possess language and symbolic systems that allow them to pass on knowledge and skills across generations.
However, this study suggests that chimpanzees can accumulate and transmit cultural knowledge through social learning, without the use of language or symbolic systems. This indicates that cumulative cultural evolution may not be a uniquely human trait, but rather a more widespread capacity among primates.
The researchers say that the study provides new insights into the origins of human cultural evolution and suggests that animal cognition may be more complex than we thought.
【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/03-07/10176076.shtml
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