Schumann, Betsy A.

The appearance of the Aurignacian industry exemplifies the significant transition from the Middle to Upper Paleolithic in Europe. The Aurignacian industry (associated with anatomically modern Homo sapiens) spread rapidly throughout Eastern, Central, and Western Europe and is very different from the preceding Middle Paleolithic industry (associated with Neanderthals). The Aurignacian is a standardized industry and presents an innovative tool kit, an advanced technology and a distinct record of non-utilitarian artifacts. There is much controversy surrounding the origin of the Aurignacian industry that may be explained by one of three modes of technological transmission: demic migration, technological diffusion or local innovation.

Human history is replete with accounts of xenophobia and warfare. Two general suppositions are that such behaviors did not develop without precedence and that they predate the establishment of statal cultures. Using data derived from the Human Relations Area Files, fifty pre-statal populations are examined for xenophobic behaviors such as frequent hostilities with out-groups, warfare, and slavery utilization, using specific environmental and cultural criteria. These criteria are assigned discrete numerical values which are programmed into Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The use of statistical analyses can determine if there is a correlation between environmental and cultural variables, and whether these variables in marginal climatic conditions exert enough pressure to affect interpopulation relationships that would result in the formation of xenophobic reactions such as hostility or warfare.