WHAT HUNTER-GATHERERS DO
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Hunter-Gatherers in North America
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from 12,000 BP to at least 3,500 BP (and to European contact in many areas)
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found in many diverse environments -- from semi-tropics to arctic tundra
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survived (even thrived) through periods of major climatic/environmental change
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Hunter-Gatherers in General
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once thought that h-g were marginal, unevolved (Morgan, unilinear evolution)
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but work of Richard Lee (and others) changed this perception
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showed that h-g meet their needs with less effort than farmers -- original Aaffluent society@
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many knew of farming, but rejected it
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most are egalitarian and accumulate few possessions, but some (NWC) even become
wealthy
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how do they do it?
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Forager-Collector Model
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proposed by L.R. Binford (1980) to account for diversity in h-g lifeways
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model seen as a continuum between two quite different ways of life
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both are mobile in pursuit of food, but mobile in diff erent ways
Foragers
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practise residential mobility -- establish many base camps through the
year
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h&g food in close proximity to base camp (Aout-and-back@), then move on
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usually found in warm climates (lower latitudes) where food is available
throughout year (no seasonal shortages)
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archaeological result: limited variety of site types; base camps and Alocations@ (activity sites)
Collectors
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practise logistical molbility -- more complex than Aout-and-back@; with fewer residential
moves
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h&g food in much wider range around base camp
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adaptation to simultaneous resource availability (spring - fall) and seasonal
shortages (winter)
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usually found in colder climates, higher latitudes
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archaeological results: (1) greater variety of site types; base camps,
temporary camps, locations, caches; (2) evidence of food storage and curation
Q:
LPI Plains bison hunters -- foragers or collectors?
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Optimal Foraging Theory
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really a set of related theories about resource decision-making
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adapted from biology and micro-economics
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basic idea is: h-g will try to maximize energy returns in pursuit of resources
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they will prioritize low cost / high yield resources
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yield is measured in calories; cost is measured in pursuit time and chance of
success
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mammoth vs. rabbit: which yields more calories? mammoth meat must be stored (or wasted); is storage a cost?
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mammoth vs. rabbit: which costs more?
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factors that may alter cost: new technology, change in settlement pattern and
mobility strategies
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OFT usually used in 2 ways: (1) to predict which resources will be used; (2) to
predict settlement pattern and site location
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From Hunting and Gathering to Farming
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some North American h-g gave up h&g for farming, or added farming to
h&g base -- Eastern Woodlands, Southwest
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why did they do this?
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theories: (1) demographic stress; (2) social factors
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demographic stress model considers Apopulation/resource
imbalance@ -- either population growth or environmental
deterioration; farming is harder (higher costs) but does give higher yields
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social factors model considers Ahuman agency@ -- how individuals gain
power (through feasting and ritual) and this creates demand for higher yields