20.2
The basic model for survival
 
  Before entering the complex debate over the origin, history and nature of human community life, it is worthwhile considering exactly what survival means to a group of humans needing to survive.  
  So much is assumed in the debate and argument of the origin and development of human civilization that the essential concepts around: how does a group of human beings survive are often overlooked. For an individual to survive on their own, the landscape may assist or hinder. Ultimately, the individual can make rapid adjustments to their condition. Yet when dozens or even hundreds of human souls are involved, the task of survival is very much more complex.  
20.2.1 The essential survival needs of a human being- food, water and shelter  
  It is universally recognized that an individual human requires certain things to survive, namely adequate food, water and shelter. If one of these is not able to be met, the person must move from his/present present location or perish. Like all lifeforms, a human must make choices over different alternatives in order to survive.  
  The human body generally needs around 3 litres of fluid replenishment, around 1,200 calories and around 5grams to 10grams of fat per day to maintain optimum health (climate, age considering).  
  While mountains and caves give excellent methods of protection, the ecosystems around river flood plains tend to be the most abundant. While more food exists and existed in these grassland flood plains, it also meant a greater level of predators.  
  As any documentary on wild animals in Africa can show, the difference between life and death on these grassy plains can be measured in seconds. Spend too long at a water source and you might become prey for another predator (such as lion or tiger).  
  Forget for the moment any notion of spears or fire. As an ancient ancestor of our primate cousins, your diet would consist almost entirely of vegetation and plants, not flesh. Principally because our physical bodies posses no real built in weapon or structure for pursuit of prey, unlike say a tiger or lion.  
  Given our food demands our ancient ancestors would have to have spent almost their entire day looking for food (as many other species do).  
20.2.2 Small, healthy and mobile groups are better  
  As our primate cousins amply demonstrate in the few places where they remain in natural environments, survival on the flood plains means small, healthy and mobile groups are optimum- say of between six and ten to twelve.  
  Given conditions for child bearing, procreation of the group, food scouring and protection, the optimum group would almost have certainly been between two and three adult males, one being leader, with five to six females with young.  
  Any group larger than this and demands on food and lack of maneuverability would place intolerable strain on the group. Too few females or not a strong enough male leader and the group may also fade away or be picked off by hungrier and smarter predators.  
  Thus the very first communities of human ancestors would have been no more than a couple of dozen primitive souls.  
 
<<Back       Continue>>
 

Copyright © 2009 UCADIA. All rights reserved.