Hunter-Gatherer Foraging : Five Simple Models

Within the last three decades, foraging theory has established itself as a major cornerstone for both archaeological and ethnographic hunter-gatherer research. Until now, however, no introductory treatment has presented the subject in a form that was quantitatively explicit and yet easy to follow. Designed as an introduction to undergraduate and graduate students new to the subject, and as a refresher for professionals seeking to broaden their command, Hunter-Gatherer Foraging: Five Simple Models presents the five foraging models that lend themselves best to hunter-gatherer application: diet breadth, linear programming, front- versus back-loaded resources, technological investment, and field processing. Each chapter begins with a hypothetical hunter-gatherer problem and takes the reader through the steps needed to state such problems in quantitative form and solve them. Exercises (with answers) at the end of each chapter reinforce key concepts and methodology. From Reference and Research Book News . . . 'A pioneer of hunter-gatherer foraging theory, Robert Bettinger offers a primer on foraging models for students new to them, especially those with little mathematical training; he also addresses professional ethnographers, ethnologists, and archaeologists who know the principles but not the details of the models or how to apply them to specific cases. He covers diet breadth, optimal foraging with constraints (linear programming), front-loaded and back-loaded resources, technological investment, and field processing. All of these models have concrete test implications that invite application across a broad range of human behaviors. For each chapter he provides exercises and answers to them. There is no index.'