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Encephalization And Division Of Labor By Early Humans

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  • John Hartwick

Abstract

We draw on Ricardian comparative advantage between distinct persons to map out the division of labor among proto-humans in a village some 1.7 million years ago. A person specialized in maintaining a cooking fire in the village is of particular interest (Ofek [2001]). We are also interested in modelling hunting by village males in teams. The large issue is whether and how specialization (division of labor) and interpersonal trade might have driven brain-expansion in early humans.

Suggested Citation

  • John Hartwick, 2007. "Encephalization And Division Of Labor By Early Humans," Working Paper 1161, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    • Handle: RePEc:qed:wpaper:1161
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    File URL: https://www.econ.queensu.ca/sites/econ.queensu.ca/files/qed_wp_1161.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. John Hartwick, 2009. "Son To Father Reciprocity And Encephalization In Early Humans," Working Paper 1223, Economics Department, Queen's University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    early humans; division of labor; brain expansion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • D51 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Exchange and Production Economies
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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