Orangutan cultures and the evolution of material culture

Science. 2003 Jan 3;299(5603):102-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1078004.

Abstract

Geographic variation in some aspects of chimpanzee behavior has been interpreted as evidence for culture. Here we document similar geographic variation in orangutan behaviors. Moreover, as expected under a cultural interpretation, we find a correlation between geographic distance and cultural difference, a correlation between the abundance of opportunities for social learning and the size of the local cultural repertoire, and no effect of habitat on the content of culture. Hence, great-ape cultures exist, and may have done so for at least 14 million years.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Borneo
  • Cultural Evolution*
  • Culture*
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Indonesia
  • Male
  • Pongo pygmaeus*
  • Social Behavior