The Most Effective Hunting Techniques of Early Humans

Trapping, stalking, wounding, and running down—pretty much the same techniques that hunters use today. These hunting methods have been adapted and refined over time but are fundamentally rooted in the practices of our early ancestors. This article delves into the most effective hunting techniques employed by early humans and how these techniques are still in use today.

Adaptations and Hunting Techniques

The adaptations that differentiate early humans from their near relatives are all related to hunting. For instance, early humans and even women among them shifted from primarily herbivorous omnivores towards primarily carnivorous omnivores, indicating a significant dietary change. These adaptations, such as the development of persistence hunting, played a crucial role in improving hunting outcomes.

Subsequent adaptations included the loss of fur and increased sweating, which improved endurance and increased the effectiveness of these hunting practices. Bipedality, or walking on two legs, also allowed for the efficient use of these techniques. As a result, early humans were better equipped to pursue and exhaust prey over long distances.

The Key Techniques

Early human hunting techniques can be primarily categorized into two methods: ambush hunting and persistence hunting.

Ambush Hunting

Ambush hunting involved setting traps, stalking prey, and using weapons like spears to immobilize and kill the target. This technique is likely the oldest and most straightforward method used by early humans. Traps could be as simple as pits or as elaborate as snare traps, while stalking involved getting close to the prey undetected using stealth and natural habitats.

Persistence Hunting

Perhaps the most notable and effective technique was persistence hunting. This method involves running down prey over long distances and extended periods until it is exhausted by fatigue or overheating. The human endurance advantage allowed them to maintain pursuit even when their prey tried to escape. This technique is even more effective when the prey is injured, as a spear, arrow, or rock can be used to deal a fatal blow.

A persistence hunter must be able to run long distances over an extended period, continuing pursuit even when the prey tries to rest. This strategy is used by a variety of canids such as African wild dogs and by human hunter-gatherers. Persistence hunting was particularly suited to hunting large animals, providing a significant amount of meat with a single successful hunt.

Tool Innovations

Although the core techniques of trapping and persistence hunting remained largely unchanged, the tools used have evolved. Early humans used everything from spears to rocks. Spears were likely used in group hunting scenarios to immobilize large animals. Bows, however, have a much longer history, existing for around 70,000 years. Even before the advent of bows, slings and simple throwing sticks were used to inflict injuries and improve hunting outcomes.

The Evolution of Hunting

With the evolution of tool use and hunting techniques, early humans became more efficient predators. The ability to combine running, walking, and tracking allowed them to outlast and outsmart their prey. This skill set was not just limited to males; women participated in hunting as well, adapting to the specific needs of group hunting and persistence hunting.

The persistence hunting technique is a testament to early human ingenuity and physical adaptation. It was (and still is) a sustainable method for securing food in the wild, demonstrating the ingenuity and perseverance of early hunter-gatherer societies.

Modern Implications

Today, the techniques and adaptations of early humans continue to influence modern hunting practices and even modern competitive sports. The endurance training for long-distance runners is a direct descendant of the persistence hunting techniques of early humans. Similarly, the use of tactics like stalking and trapping in wildlife management can be traced back to early human practices.

The hunting techniques of early humans are a fascinating glimpse into our evolutionary past. By understanding the methods they used, we can gain insights into their survival strategies and the physical adaptations that made them successful hunters.