Humans are domesticated primates, and like all domesticated animals we demonstrate the canonical properties of neoteny, or the adult retention of childlike traits: physical traits like rounder heads, flatter faces, shorter noses, bigger eyes and shorter jaws, of course; but also and more importantly the cognitive traits of playfulness, curiosity, creativity and innovation.
Indeed, it is in many ways the explosion of cultural innovation and exchange approximately 50 thousand years ago that marks the distinction between archaic humans and modern homo sapiens sapiens, who spread to every habitable continent on earth and developed a wide variety of inventions to facilitate living in diverse climates. Archaic humans also had culture, of course, but nothing like the innovation curve that has characterized the period since then.
Indeed, it is in many ways the explosion of cultural innovation and exchange approximately 50 thousand years ago that marks the distinction between archaic humans and modern homo sapiens sapiens, who spread to every habitable continent on earth and developed a wide variety of inventions to facilitate living in diverse climates. Archaic humans also had culture, of course, but nothing like the innovation curve that has characterized the period since then.