The Paleoanthropology and Archaeology of Big-Game Hunting: Protein, Fat, or Politics? (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781441967329)

Since its inception, paleoanthropology has been closely wedded to the idea that big-game hunting by our hominin ancestors arose, first and foremost, as a means for acquiring energy and vital nutrients. This assumption has rarely been questioned, and seems intuitively obvious--meat is a nutrient-rich food with the ideal array of amino acids, and big animals provide meat in large, convenient packages. Through new research, the author of this volume provides a strong argument that the primary goals of big-game hunting were actually social and political--increasing hunter's prestige and standing--and that the nutritional component was just an added bonus.

Through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary research approach, the author examines the historical and current perceptions of protein as an important nutrient source, the biological impact of a high-protein diet and the evidence of this in the archaeological record, and provides a compelling reexamination of this long-held conclusion. This volume will be of interest to researchers in Archaeology, Evolutionary Biology, and Paleoanthropology, particularly those studying diet and nutrition.

Author: John D. Speth
ISBN-10: 144196732X
ISBN-13: 9781441967329
Publisher: Springer
Language: English
Published: 09/17/2010
Pages: 233
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.22lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.63d