ABSTRACT
Introductory Duringthelastfortyyearstheneolithicstageinallpartsoftheworld hascometobedefinednotbythediffusionofcertaintechniquesof secondaryimportancebutbyman'smasteryofhisenvironmentand foodsupply,whichfacilitatedanexplosionofpopulation.Duringthe palaeolithicmandependedonhuntingandgathering.Exceptat unusuallyfavouredlocalities,wheremigrationofbigherdsorfish-runs madefoodseasonallyplentifulandeasytoprocure,alargeareawas requiredperheadofpopulation.Forthefoodthatwasavailableman hadtocompetewithanimalsstrongerthanhimself,andhisweapons werehardlyadequateforself-defence.Hisexistencewastherefore precarious.Hecouldmakelittleprovisionagainstclimaticirregularities, inAfricaparticularlydrought;andevennormalseasonalvariations wouldrendersettledhabitationinmostregionsverydifficult.Soto obtainenoughfoodhehadtowander,sometimesperhapsinatranshumantcycle,inwhichhecountedonannualseasonalreturnto particularsettlements.Butlackofpermanenthabitationmadeit impossibletoaccumulatemorethanaminimumofpossessions,andthe expenditureoflabourinimprovinghisenvironmentwasnotworth whilefortheshorttimewhenhecouldenjoyit.Sohelivedfromhand tomouth,andpossessednocapital.Atthesametime,hisexistencedid littletomodifythenaturalorder.Hedidnotseriouslychangethe landscape,andasapredatorhetookhistollofanimalandvegetable lifearoundhim,butnotsufficientlytoalterthenaturalbalance.
