A new study from the Department of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University found that the extinction of large prey, upon which human nutrition had been based, compelled prehistoric humans to develop improved weapons for hunting small prey, thereby driving evolutionary adaptations. The study reviews the evolution of hunting weapons from wooden-tipped and stone-tipped spears, all the way to the sophisticated bow and arrow of a later era, correlating it with changes in prey size and human culture and physiology.
"In this study we looked for a correlation between the advent of stone-tipped spears, and the progressive decline in prey size.
"A more substantial wound induced by a stone-tipped spear is likely to slow it down and reduce the distance it can run before ultimately collapsing—increasing the hunter's chances of retrieving the fallen prey. This insight further elucidates our findings from hundreds of thousands of years ago, when stone-tipped spears were developed in response to the increasing scarcity of large prey.
"Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals, emerging about 300,000 years ago, upgraded their spears by adding stone tips, which they produced with the more sophisticated Levallois technique. These stone-tipped spears were apparently used for both thrusting and hurling. About 50,000 years ago more complex hunting systems like the bow and arrow and spear thrower, were used regularly by Homo Sapiens."
"Ultimately, we hypothesized that prey size had played a major part in human evolution: at the beginning the largest animals were hunted, and when these were gone humans went on to the next in size, and so on. Finally, when hunting was no longer energetically viable, humans began to domesticate animals and plants. That's how the agricultural revolution began."
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Large grass fire jumps County Road 18 near small town of Damon, Texas, fire department saysOne of the agencies reported the fire sparking near Damon, Texas, which is home to about 500 residents.
Baca lebih lajut »
Saskatoon fire department seeks guidance on enforcing mandatory carbon monoxide alarmsThe fire department wants the power to require building owners to install CO alarms — or risk paying to have the work done for them.
Baca lebih lajut »
Jacksonville Beach Police Department investigating juvenile death near Bethlehem Lutheran PreschoolThe Jacksonville Beach Police Department is investigating a juvenile death near the Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool Tuesday afternoon.
Baca lebih lajut »
America's small towns are disbanding police forces, citing hiring woesAt least 521 U.S. towns and cities with populations of 1,000 to 200,000 disbanded their police departments between 1972 and 2017.
Baca lebih lajut »
Helicopter and small plane collide midair in Alaska national park, injuring 1 personOfficials say a float-equipped small plane and a helicopter have collided midair in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve, injuring one person.
Baca lebih lajut »