Affinito Simona, Eteson Brienna, Karakostis Fotios Alexandros
Department of Geosciences, DFG Center for Advanced Studies "Words, Bones, Genes, Tools", Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Department of Geosciences, Paleoanthropology, Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Brain Struct Funct. 2025 Jun 16;230(6):101. doi: 10.1007/s00429-025-02961-1.
This study introduces a novel multivariate statistical pipeline for integrating and analyzing EEG and EMG data in experimental neuroarchaeology, providing a robust framework for investigating brain-hand interactions during a variety of tool-related behaviours. By implementing a multistep approach, it effectively characterizes task/condition-related variations while detecting meaningful covariation patterns between neural and muscular activity. Compared to traditional univariate techniques, this pipeline better addresses the complexity of multimodal datasets, offering a more comprehensive understanding of cognitive-motor dynamics. We demonstrate the utility of this approach using data from a previously conducted experiment on early hominin stone tool use, illustrating how electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) integration can reveal interactions between brain and hand processes across tasks of varying manual complexity. This methodological advancement not only enhances the study of tool-related behaviors but also establishes a standardized framework for future research in neuroarchaeology. Beyond stone tools, this approach could be extended to other forms of material culture, such as ornaments and engravings, contributing to a broader understanding of manual skill development and symbolic behavior.
本研究引入了一种新颖的多元统计方法，用于整合和分析实验神经考古学中的脑电图（EEG）和肌电图（EMG）数据，为研究各种与工具相关行为期间的脑-手交互提供了一个强大的框架。通过实施多步骤方法，它有效地刻画了与任务/条件相关的变化，同时检测神经和肌肉活动之间有意义的协变模式。与传统的单变量技术相比，该方法能更好地处理多模态数据集的复杂性，提供对认知-运动动力学更全面的理解。我们使用先前进行的关于早期人类使用石器工具的实验数据来证明这种方法的实用性，说明脑电图（EEG）和肌电图（EMG）的整合如何能够揭示不同手动复杂性任务中脑与手过程之间的相互作用。这一方法上的进步不仅加强了对与工具相关行为的研究，还为神经考古学的未来研究建立了一个标准化框架。除了石器工具，这种方法还可以扩展到其他形式的物质文化，如装饰品和雕刻品，有助于更广泛地理解手工技能发展和象征行为。
