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Excavation revealed a deep sequence of deposits containing the elephant remains, along with numerous flint tools and a range of other species such as; wild aurochs, extinct forms of rhinoceros and lion, Barbary macaque, beaver, rabbit, various forms of vole and shrew, and a diverse assemblage of snails. These remains confirm that the deposits date to a warm period of climate around 420,000 years ago, the so-called Hoxnian interglacial, when the climate was probably slightly warmer than the present day.
"Early hominins of this period would have depended on nutrition from large herbivores. The key evidence for elephant hunting is that, of the few prehistoric butchered elephant carcasses that have been found across Europe, they are almost all large males in their prime, a pattern that does not suggest natural death and scavenging. Although it seems incredible that they could have killed such an animal, it must have been possible with wooden spears.. We know hominins of this period had these, and an elephant skeleton with a wooden spear through its ribs was found at the site of Lehringen in Germany in 1948."
"Early hominins of this period would have depended on nutrition from large herbivores. The key evidence for elephant hunting is that, of the few prehistoric butchered elephant carcasses that have been found across Europe,
Read more at: phys.org...
intrptr
reply to post by 727Sky
From the link...
"Early hominins of this period would have depended on nutrition from large herbivores. The key evidence for elephant hunting is that, of the few prehistoric butchered elephant carcasses that have been found across Europe,
Read more at: phys.org...
I love the way they use the word "hominins". These are more primitive than modern humans? I can't fashion a spear with a stone point and bring down an elephant with it. Does that make me more or less primitive?
Grimpachi
reply to post by intrptr
I am sure you could with the help of a tribe. Early humans and even tribes in the amazon hunt together. Think about how packs of dogs can take down much bigger prey. Strength in numbers.
The site also contains a large number of isolated heads of wildebeest-sized antelopes. In contrast to small antelope carcasses, the heads of these somewhat larger individuals are able to be consumed several days after death and could be scavenged, as even the largest African predators like lions and hyenas were unable to break them open to access their nutrient-rich brains
Although it seems incredible that they could have killed such an animal, it must have been possible with wooden spears.. We know hominins of this period had these, and an elephant skeleton with a wooden spear through its ribs was found at the site of Lehringen in Germany in 1948."
Read more at: phys.org...
intrptr
reply to post by 727Sky
From the link...
"Early hominins of this period would have depended on nutrition from large herbivores. The key evidence for elephant hunting is that, of the few prehistoric butchered elephant carcasses that have been found across Europe,
Read more at: phys.org...
I love the way they use the word "hominins". These are more primitive than modern humans? I can't fashion a spear with a stone point and bring down an elephant with it. Does that make me more or less primitive?
intrptr
reply to post by 727Sky
You must work with them, just wondering?
I could not imagine killing one up close and personal either. But we see through our "modern" eyes.
They did it though for hunting, from your link...
Although it seems incredible that they could have killed such an animal, it must have been possible with wooden spears.. We know hominins of this period had these, and an elephant skeleton with a wooden spear through its ribs was found at the site of Lehringen in Germany in 1948."
Read more at: phys.org...
That could have been a coup de grace blow but who knows? Hunger is a prime motivator.
Hanslune
reply to post by winofiend
Don't forget that not everyone in the world is as urbanised as Americans are!
There are still about a half billion slash and burn farmers around, a few hundred thousand part time hunter-gathers and fisherfolks. Some places in the world are so 'backwards' that if the modern world disappeared they would do just fine. Small scale farmers make up 1 to 1 /2 billion people too and they make due with minimal technology.
I agree, we've become rather dim. We could not last a week in an environment - the one right outside our houses now - without the houses.. and the air conditioners.. lights, tv, internet, stove, microwave, toaster..
Try telling the kids that these days and you're met with dismissive apathy.
I feel like some old fart from the 1800's these days.
p/quote]
Me too. But trying to get their attention is rather difficult. They are always staring at something they carry around in their hand.
On the other hand, back when, we worked on race cars, we reloaded bullets, we built the computer age they dismissively enjoy the s*** out of. How about a little gratitude, huh kids?