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Big Game, Small Game: Why It Matters

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In Search of the Broad Spectrum Revolution in Paleolithic Southwest Europe

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Archaeology ((BRIEFSARCHAE))

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Abstract

Though today the assumption that “bigger equals better” when it comes to animal prey is often equated with optimal foraging theory, this expectation has long been present in archaeolology. In this chapter, I explore the history of the bigger is better concept and its relationship to the Broad Spectrum Revolution hypothesis. I review initial approaches to the Broad Spectrum Revolution and then turn to more recent studies, including both prey choice and niche construction perspectives on the transition to broad spectrum diets.

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  1. Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Emily Lena Jones

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Jones, E.L. (2016). Big Game, Small Game: Why It Matters. In: In Search of the Broad Spectrum Revolution in Paleolithic Southwest Europe. SpringerBriefs in Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22351-3_2

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