Scavenging or Hunting in Early Hominids: Theoretical Framework and Tests

Abstract

Evidence from Bed I, Olduvai, supports the hypothesis that scavenging, not hunting, was the major meat‐procurement strategy of hominids between 2 and 1.7 million years ago. Data used to evaluate the hunting and scavenging hypotheses are derived from studying cut marks on Bed I bovids, comparing adaptations necessary for scavenging with those of early hominids, and a pa‐leoecological reconstruction of Bed I carcass biotnass, carnivore guild, and hominidforaging area.