We can explain how children have learned for 99% of history and why the Congo Basin society is so unique.

Children in the hunter-gatherer societies of the Congo River basin exhibit a remarkable level of self-sufficiency by the age of six or seven, mastering essential skills such as hunting, identifying edible plants, and caring for the sick. A recent study explains this accelerated learning through a unique community knowledge-sharing system, reports Phys.org.

The research illustrates how these communities have preserved cultural traditions over thousands of years.

Lead researcher Barry Hewlett, a professor of anthropology at WSU, stated: "We focused on hunter-gatherers because this lifestyle characterized 99% of human history. By studying how children learn in these societies, we can understand the mechanisms underlying human adaptation to various environmental conditions worldwide."

The study involved observing how children acquire cultural knowledge from various sources, including parents, extended family, and unrelated community members.

The findings challenge the traditional assumption that parents are the primary teachers. Instead, extended family members and even non-related adults play a significant role, with about half of cultural learning occurring outside immediate familial ties.

The researcher noted that this extensive learning network contrasts with the Western nuclear family model, where education is primarily focused on parents or teachers.

Hunter-gatherer camps, typically consisting of 25-35 people living in close proximity, create an environment where children can observe and interact with many individuals.

This environment fosters informal, non-verbal learning, enabling children to acquire vital skills such as cooking, hunting, and caring for the sick.

Moreover, these societies emphasize egalitarianism, autonomy, and sharing, creating a conducive atmosphere for children to explore and practice skills independently.

The researcher described this knowledge-sharing process as a driving force behind "cumulative culture" — the ability to build upon existing knowledge and pass it down through generations. Unlike most animals, where the range of learned behaviors is limited, the complex cognitive and social structures of humans allow for the transmission of a wide array of cultural traits. This ability has played a crucial role in adapting to diverse ecosystems, from dense forests to arid deserts.

This research, conducted in collaboration with institutions such as the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Durham University, provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of social learning and cultural preservation. It highlights the importance of understanding collaborative learning practices to comprehend how human cultures evolve and endure over time.

We also reported on a significant artifact discovered in Sussex, England. A seeker found a gold plate that scientists dated to the 6th-7th centuries AD.