When bigger is not better: The economics of hunting megafauna and its implications for Plio-Pleistocene hunter-gatherers

摘要: Abstract Big game acquisition is viewed as pivotal in the evolution of early hominins and often associated with emergence features that are hallmarks Homo. We explore energetic justification for preference big under premise larger-sized prey always more efficiently exploited than smaller-sized game. Using quantitative cost/benefit data derived from ethnographic, ethnoarchaeological historic sources, we show certain large-sized (megafauna) expensive to acquire prey. Comparative analysis shows African elephants (Loxodonta africana), largest-sized terrestrial animal, lower ranked less efficient many animals irrespective their encounter rates. These challenge idea body size can be used a proxy profitability rank zooarchaeological analyses. Prey profitability, especially costly taxa, strongly influenced by characteristics relative existing dispatch technology range nonconsumptive benefits hunting megafauna. Nonconsumptive rewards these opportunities only gained individuals not broadly available everyone. suggest ‘big game’ specialization needs reframed archaeology.