Re: Speciation - how do you know?

Nick Maclaren (nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk)
7 Oct 1996 11:56:21 GMT

In article <844637096snz@crowleyp.demon.co.uk>, Paul@crowleyp.demon.co.uk (Paul Crowley) writes:
|> In article <538fc3$ekl@lyra.csx.cam.ac.uk>
|> nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk "Nick Maclaren" writes:
|>
|> > You have just proved that none of the Bantu peoples hunted until they
|> > received European technology (in some places, well into this century).
|> > This conflicts with observation - perhaps reality needs adjusting?
|>
|> Bantu hunters occupy a niche that is quite distinct from that of
|> lions or that could possibly have been occupied by Neanderthals -
|> a diurnal one exploiting fast running and long endurance. They
|> run down their prey. They operate in an open, fairly dry
|> territory with long sight lines. They are highly skilled hunters
|> with thousands of years of tradition. (This is how I understand
|> it anyway - I'm no expert.)

Well, I am afraid that you are wrong. There are between 5 and 8
major errors of fact in that paragraph, depending on how you count
them. And by "major errors of fact" I mean statements where the
truth is close to the converse of what you have said.

|> One thing we know about Neanderthals is that they did not have
|> this sort of capability. Bantu peoples also have far better
|> weapons. Once they exhaust the (older, weak or sick) animal,
|> they can kill it fairly quickly with sharp spears and knives.

And a couple in this.

Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QG, England.
Email: nmm1@cam.ac.uk
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679