The hunter uses a spear-
throwing device to steady
the spear and extend the
length it travels. The device
gives the hunter greater
force and accuracy in hurling
his spear from a distance.Should a hunter get too
close, the mammoth might
crush him under its large
feet, or stab him with its
deadly tusks.Other hunters close
in for the kill.How can killing a mammoth
help you survive?
You are a hunter living in ancient North America. Along with several other
hunters, you have been tracking the mammoth for days. This giant beast is a
challenging prey. Close to 14 feet high at the shoulders, it can easily crush a
human. Its curved tusks, measuring more than 15 feet in length, are sharp and
therefore dangerous. Yet the rewards of killing the huge animal are worth the
risks for you, your fellow hunters, and your families.
Suddenly you spot the massive creature. Aside from spears, your only
weapons are some simple tools and your superior intelligence.• What uses might hunters and their families make of
the slain mammoth?
• What roles might strategy and cooperation play in
the hunt?
As a class, discuss these questions. In your discussion, consider how
this situation speaks to the difficulties of life in a hunter-gatherer
society. As you read about the growth of civilization in the
Americas, notice how the old hunting and gathering way of life
dramatically changed with the development of agriculture.EXAMININGthe ISSUES
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