Views
- Title of probably the first study into architectural primatology. One of the main motives to write this paper was Joseph Rykwert_s book on Adam_s House. The well known art historian_s search for the idea of the primordial hut based on written history (Bible) is fairly anachronistic. Today, the Adam of the first construction must be searched for among the primates. And in fact, all great apes are routined nestbuilders. A chimpanzee builds a virtual skyscraper of about 11 times the Eifel-tower in Paris (if all the nests he builds during his life are placed one on top of the other). We normally do not know about this tremendous building activity among our biological neighbours because for a long time the great apes were studied in zoological gardens where they could not build nests. But later nestbuilding was observed extensively among animals living in the wild. The study deals in all details with nestconstruction and its implications for the daily lives of the great apes. Most precious is a plan of a night camp of gorillas. It can be compared to the structure of the human dwelling in regard to the access places scheme [dominant male protecting the access gate]? and its value centrality [mother and baby in centre]?). Very important is also the information about the complex functions of this evidently primary and definitely non aesthetic building.
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