We are pleased to announce that our doctoral student, Ms. Svetlana Kuleshova, has been awarded a PRELUDIUM 23 grant from the National Science Centre (NCN). The grant, amounting to PLN 125,140, will support her project titled "From Stone Tools to Language: A Comparison of Proto-Language Models Based on Pantomime and Archaeology."
In her research, Ms. Kuleshova analyzes prehistoric stone tools to better understand ancient techniques, the materials available at the time, and the people who created these artifacts. She also explores whether such tools can offer insights into early language, belief systems, and the cognitive abilities of prehistoric humans.
Her project combines cognitive archaeology with an experimental approach to the study of language evolution. It focuses on the concept of proto-language—a form of communication that predates grammatical language. The goal is to develop a theoretical model of proto-language based on archaeological analysis and compare it with pantomime as an alternative means of communication.
In the experimental phase, participants will convey information about the process of tool-making using either the proposed proto-language model or pantomime. This will allow the researcher to assess the effectiveness of both methods. Ms. Kuleshova expects that the findings will enhance our understanding of language’s role in knowledge transmission and help identify the point at which language may have become essential to human communication.
Congratulations to Ms. Svetlana on this outstanding achievement!