The Cro-Magnon were highly skilled and inventive hunters, who varied their techniques according the season and prey. Probably the men did most of the hunting for the very practical reason that most adult women would have small children to care of – a crying baby would scare off the game before had even started.
A band of hunters might sneak upon herd of reindeer, bison or horses, pick out a likely victim, run it down and spear it to death. However, a lot might go wrong with this approach. A slight change of wind or a tiny sound would betray the hunters’ present, and the herd would run. To get really close to large animal, particularly one with horn, was especially dangerous; approaching a wounded one was doubly so.
The Cro-Magnons’ chances of success and safety were increased by invention of spear thrower and the bow and arrow. Both enabled the hunters to launch their attack from a greater and safer distance.
Food History
