Early hominid dispersals: A technological hypothesis for out of Africa

Homo is the only genus that responds to environmental pressures by adopting such strategies as non-standardized behaviour, a general diet, and technology. Considering that basic idea, this paper introduces the general hypothesis that the Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Homo dispersals within and out of Africa were consequences of that human characteristic behaviour. In particular, they were driven by a process starting with the emergence of technology, followed in a second phase by its socialization. From this point, social reorganization within communities (changing behaviours and social, cultural and economic strategies) occurred, driving demographic growth, and frequently geographic expansion. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.