Malawi: What Animal Bones in Malawi Teach Us About the Social Lives of People Long Ago
[The Conversation Africa] In the ancient past, when human communities were small and the only way to travel was by walking, what were the chances of meeting a stranger? And what would happen next?
A fascinating discovery in Malawi is shedding light on the social lives of ancient human communities. Archaeologists have unearthed over 13,000 animal bone fragments from a site called Hora 1, which dates back 21,000 years. These bones, primarily from small animals like antelopes, hares, and monkeys, suggest that these early humans hunted close to their territories rather than roaming vast distances in search of food.
The study challenges the notion that coastal environments fostered social boundaries in the past. Instead, large animals with significant meat yields, such as zebras and wildebeest, were scarce in the area. The bones indicate that these hunters brought entire carcasses back to their sites, hinting at a strong sense of in-group cooperation and a shared identity.
The bones were also subjected to marrow extraction, implying that food resources were likely scarce. This local social organization, coupled with practices like mass hunting, suggests that ancient human societies were more closely tied to their immediate surroundings than previously thought.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
