Southwest Germany in the West European Landscape

Abstract

Archaeological studies of hunter—gatherers usually emphasize adaptation to the immediate natural environment in explaining cultural behavior. Often neglected are two crucial elements in human ecological relationships: (1) the social environment, and (2) the preceding history of adaptations. People cope with problems in the natural environment as social beings, in a social context presenting its own problems, with cultural tools developed in past generations. Without consideration of these factors , cultural behavior cannot be fully intelligible.