Our Ancient Human Relatives: Challenging Giant Hyenas for Carcasses

Artistic reconstruction of a group of hominins in direct competition for carrion with a hyena Jesus Rodríguez / @trophic

In the prehistoric era, surviving meant securing a nutritious feast, especially when it came to a horse or elephant kill. But without advanced weapons like we have today, it’s likely that our ancient human relatives didn’t always come out as the successful hunters. Instead, they may have relied on scavenging the meaty carcasses left behind by larger predators, such as saber-toothed cats. These findings, presented in Scientific Reports, offer intriguing insights into the dietary habits of our ancestors and their ability to compete with other scavenger species.

A Surprising Survival Strategy

Contrary to the belief that hunting was a more advanced behavior compared to scavenging, researchers argue that scavenging was a result of the early hominins’ behavioral flexibility and cooperative abilities. While saber-toothed cats were dominant predators during the Pleistocene era, they often left behind an abundance of meat on carcasses due to their incomplete consumption. This provided an opportunity for our human relatives to capitalize on the leftovers, as long as they could outcompete other scavengers, such as giant hyenas.

Simulation and Competition

To better understand the dynamics of scavenging during that time, researchers conducted computer simulations. These simulations explored various conditions, such as the availability of predators and prey, to determine the number of carcasses present. The results indicated that when there were more predators, both giant hyenas and hominin populations grew larger. Conversely, when the number of saber-toothed cats decreased, giant hyenas survived in smaller numbers, and hominins struggled to find enough carcasses to sustain themselves through scavenging alone. However, when the European jaguar was introduced as a third predator, there were enough carcasses to support both scavengers.

The Power of Cooperation

One crucial factor for the success of our human relatives in scavenging was their ability to cooperate. The simulations revealed that hominin groups of fewer than five individuals were often outcompeted by giant hyenas. Only when hominins banded together in groups of five or more did they have a fighting chance. However, when the group size exceeded 13, the availability of meat became insufficient to justify such large-scale cooperation. These findings shed light on the importance of group size in scavenging and its impact on survival.

FAQs

Q: Were early hominins only scavengers?

A: No, early hominins were opportunistic and omnivorous. Scavenging was just one part of their food procurement strategies. They also hunted and gathered vegetables and small animals.

Q: How reliable are simulations in understanding past behaviors?

A: Simulations provide valuable insights into the past but cannot definitively portray real-world behaviors. Nevertheless, they contribute new arguments to the debate and help us understand the feasibility of certain behaviors under specific conditions.

Conclusion

The study suggests that our ancient human relatives may have relied on scavenging to survive in a world dominated by powerful predators. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation, group size, and the availability of carcasses in determining the success of scavenging. These findings challenge the notion that scavenging is a less advanced behavior than hunting, highlighting the intelligence and safety in letting others do the killing. While this study focuses on prehistoric times, it reminds us of our ancestors’ resourcefulness and adaptability, which have played a significant role in shaping our species today.

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