[B]Chimpanzees 'hunt using spears' [/B]

A great article on the BBC's website, what do you think?

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Chimpanzees 'hunt using spears'


Chimpanzees in Senegal have been observed making and using wooden spears to hunt other primates, according to a study in the journal Current Biology.

Researchers documented 22 cases of chimps fashioning tools to jab at smaller primates sheltering in cavities of hollow branches or tree trunks.

The report's authors, Jill Pruetz and Paco Bertolani, said the finding could have implications for human evolution.

Chimps had not been previously observed hunting other animals with tools.

Pruetz and Bertolani made the discovery at their research site in Fongoli, Senegal, between March 2005 and July 2006.

"There were hints that this behavior might occur, but it was one time at a different site," said Jill Pruetz, assistant professor of anthropology at Iowa State University, US.

"While in Senegal for the spring semester, I saw about 13 different hunting bouts. So it really is habitual."

Jabbing weapon

Chimpanzees were observed jabbing the spears into hollow trunks or branches, over and over again. After the chimp removed the tool, it would commonly smell or lick it.

In the vast majority of cases, the chimps used the tools in the manner of a spear, not as probes. The researchers say they were using enough force to injure an animal that may have been hiding inside.

In one case, Pruetz and Bertolani witnessed a chimpanzee extract a bushbaby with a spear.

In most cases, the Fongoli chimpanzees carried out four or more steps to manufacture spears for hunting.

In all but one of the cases, chimps broke off a living branch to make their tool. They would then trim the side branches and leaves.

In a number of cases, chimps also trimmed the ends of the branch and stripped it of bark. Some chimps also sharpened the tip of the tool with their teeth.

Adult males have long been regarded as the hunters in chimp groups.

But the authors of the paper in Current Biology said females and juveniles were seen exhibiting this behaviour more frequently than adult males.

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Especially this one is fascinating. For the weaker the weapon...

But the authors of the paper in Current Biology said females and juveniles were seen exhibiting this behaviour more frequently than adult males.

Ominous stuff..

For many many years we have observed primates picking and trimming sticks to delve for ants and termites.


BTW I've worked with Jill Pruetz. Another great anthropologist, more of an archaeologist in that department at ISU is Dr. Hill. I remember long nights washing bones in the lab following an unfortunate increase in air moisture. lol

There is something magical about cutting recently deceased cows and bison with stone tools in a variety of conditions to understand cut marks found on remains.

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For many many years we have observed primates picking and trimming sticks to delve for ants and termites.

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Yes, I know. But the spear was always considered the weapon which gave our ancestors the ability to fend off predators and kill large game. It is telling that the weaker members of this chimpanzee culture are using this prothesis. And the sometimes rather lenghty preperation of this weapons caught my eyes:

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In all but one of the cases, chimps broke off a living branch to make their tool. They would then trim the side branches and leaves.

In a number of cases, chimps also trimmed the ends of the branch and stripped it of bark. Some chimps also sharpened the tip of the tool with their teeth.

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There is something magical about cutting recently deceased cows and bison with stone tools in a variety of conditions to understand cut marks found on remains.

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Sounds like fun. Do you also stab or throw with spears with various spearheads?

OA

Here's something funny:

My brother and I were watching this on the news, and I asked him if he'd take on a spear-wielding chimp. He said "No way, they might outsmart me."

1 small step back for man, 1 giant leap forward for chimps? :2thumbsup:

So will chimp historians one day debate whether their ancestors used the overhand or underhand stab style like we do when ever someone mentions Hoplites or Persians.

Perhaps if one of the chimps starts to specialize in making certain parts of the spear or if they start practicing stabs and such we should watch out.