Early Humans as Endurance Runners
Early Humans as Endurance Runners
Scientists Reveal the Prevalence of "Endurance Pursuits" in Prehistoric Hunter-Gatherer Societies
Scientists uncover compelling evidence suggesting that the hunting strategies of early humans involved long-distance running, challenging conventional beliefs about the physical demands and efficiency of such pursuits.
Challenging Assumptions
Recent research published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour1 challenges the prevailing notion that the endurance pursuit of prey, involving lengthy chases on foot, was an uncommon hunting strategy among hunter-gatherer societies. Eugene Morin, a professor of anthropology at Trent University, Canada, highlights a cultural bias among Westerners, who perceive running as arduous and challenging due to their sedentary lifestyles,
"Westerners, being more sedentary, are generally not as fit as the Natives (indigenous people who descended from the earliest inhabitants of a country), and for this reason, probably consider endurance running as more challenging than people who run frequently."
Global Practices
Drawing from documented observations across 272 locations worldwide, the study demonstrates the widespread use of endurance pursuits by various nomadic groups. From the Evenki people in Siberia to the Pitjantjatjara in Australia, these pursuits were not limited to open plains but also occurred in diverse environments such as forests and snow-covered habitats, suggesting their global prevalence and adaptability. Morin,
"We were struck by the number of cases we were finding and by their wide range of ecological contexts, with examples including the Canadian tundra and the mountains of Hawaii."
The Evolutionary Advantage
Endurance pursuits provided early humans, or hominins, with a significant evolutionary advantage in competition with carnivores for game. The "endurance running hypothesis" proposes that humans evolved around two million years ago to run long distances, leveraging their ability to sweat profusely and lower limb muscles adapted for stamina rather than power. Morin again,
"It suggests that this hunting tactic has considerable antiquity."
Historical Significance
The study reviews nearly 400 cases, including first-hand accounts from various indigenous groups, revealing instances where hunters covered distances exceeding 62 miles in pursuit of prey. This evidence challenges the notion that snowy or harsh winter conditions deterred such pursuits, suggesting that endurance running remained an effective hunting tactic across diverse ecological contexts. Eugene Morin,
"We have been impressed with evidence we found for those environments, but also by the many instances where these pursuits occurred in forest and snow-covered habitats outside of the tropics."
Decline and Disruption
Endurance pursuits declined with the advent of rifles, horses, and hunting dogs, as these technologies offered more efficient means of hunting. Colonial disruptions of traditional societies also contributed to the waning of this hunting strategy. However, the findings underscore the historical significance of endurance running in shaping early human behavior and adaptation.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the adaptive strategies of early humans, highlighting the role of endurance running as a widespread and effective hunting tactic. By challenging existing perceptions and uncovering historical practices, scientists deepen our understanding of human evolution and the dynamic relationship between culture, environment, and survival strategies.
Morin, E., & Winterhalder, B. (2024). Ethnography and ethnohistory support the efficiency of hunting through endurance running in humans. Nature Human Behaviour, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01876-x