| The Paleoanthropology and Archaeology of Big-Game Hunting: Protein, Fat, or Politics? 2010 Edition Contributor(s): Speth, John D. (Author) |
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ISBN: 146142674X ISBN-13: 9781461426745 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $85.49 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: July 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Archaeology - Medical | Nutrition - Science | Life Sciences - Biology |
| Dewey: 799.26 |
| Series: Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology |
| Physical Information: 0.56" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.84 lbs) 233 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Since its inception, paleoanthropology has been closely wedded to the idea that big-game hunting by our hominin ancestors arose, first and foremost, as a means for acquiring energy and vital nutrients. This assumption has rarely been questioned, and seems intuitively obvious--meat is a nutrient-rich food with the ideal array of amino acids, and big animals provide meat in large, convenient packages. Through new research, the author of this volume provides a strong argument that the primary goals of big-game hunting were actually social and political--increasing hunter's prestige and standing--and that the nutritional component was just an added bonus. Through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary research approach, the author examines the historical and current perceptions of protein as an important nutrient source, the biological impact of a high-protein diet and the evidence of this in the archaeological record, and provides a compelling reexamination of this long-held conclusion. This volume will be of interest to researchers in Archaeology, Evolutionary Biology, and Paleoanthropology, particularly those studying diet and nutrition. |