Abstract
With this contribution we analyze ancient hunting technologies as one way to explore
the development of causal cognition in the hominin lineage. Building on earlier work, we separate
seven grades of causal thinking. By looking at variations in force dynamics as a central element in
causal cognition, we analyze the thinking required for different hunting technologies such as
stabbing spears, throwing spears, launching atlatl darts, shooting arrows with a bow, and the use
of poisoned arrows. Our interpretation demonstrates that there is an interplay between the
extension of human body through technology and expanding our cognitive abilities to reason about
causes. It adds content and dimension to the trend of including embodied cognition in evolutionary
studies and in the interpretation of the archeological record. Our method could explain variation
in
technology sets between archaic and modern human groups.