Living primitive?

[torjusg]

Hunting and gatherers followed the herds, so they didn’t have to worry about how much land they covered; they followed the animals up and down the land. If the worst came to the worst, the few that survived would have to do the same, land ownership would not (could not) come into it. For a nation of ‘hunter gathers’ to survive, they would all have to be hunter-gathers. As soon as some people settle down to farm the land, that would be when the conflicts would resume. Large groups of people following wild animals across farm land tends to upset the people who have spent six months looking after plants that are needed to last them until the next harvest is in.

That doesn't mean that the farmers would neccesarily win.

And also your assumption of that hunter gatherers followed the animal herds is wrong. Humans would be unable to move along with herds of for example bison or reindeer as they couldn't keep that pace all year. Different groups would prey on the animals on different places of the migration route. Some places are better for hunting animals than others, and overpredation would not be desirable, so groups would fiercely defend their "territory" from neighbours wanting a part of the cake.

The concept of ownership of land was existant among H/Gs, but instead of being devided down to the single farmer it was devided between groups. As such groups tend to be autonomous, these borders could fluctuate a lot, all dependent on who had the upper hand militarily.

 

[Tadpole]

That doesn't mean that the farmers would neccesarily win.

And also your assumption of that hunter gatherers followed the animal herds is wrong. Humans would be unable to move along with herds of for example bison or reindeer as they couldn't keep that pace all year. Different groups would prey on the animals on different places of the migration route. Some places are better for hunting animals than others, and overpredation would not be desirable, so groups would fiercely defend their "territory" from neighbours wanting a part of the cake.

The concept of ownership of land was existant among H/Gs, but instead of being devided down to the single farmer it was devided between groups. As such groups tend to be autonomous, these borders could fluctuate a lot, all dependent on who had the upper hand militarily.

hunter gatherer tribes did follow the herds on their annual migrations, you are right not across land, but by sea and river through sailing and rowing their currachs along the coasts, across open sea and up shallow river estuaries. they didn't have follow them as they knew where they would be. This mobility allowed Hunters-gathers to exploit lands that would not normally support a family group. as for "concept of ownership of land was existant among H/Gs" we have no idea if H/G even had a word for land-ownership, let alone practiced it. we know next to nothing about that period of time.

 

[torjusg]

hunter gatherer tribes did follow the herds on their annual migrations, you are right not across land, but by sea and river through sailing and rowing their currachs along the coasts, across open sea and up shallow river estuaries. they didn't have follow them as they knew where they would be. This mobility allowed Hunters-gathers to exploit lands that would not normally support a family group. as for "concept of ownership of land was existant among H/Gs" we have no idea if H/G even had a word for land-ownership, let alone practiced it. we know next to nothing about that period of time.

That's a possibility in Britain, following deer migrations, which are relatively short. Still, if you are thinking of caribou and bison it would be pretty much impossible. But they could of course move around to exploit different resources on different locations. One or several could be along important migration routes for some key species.

I was refering to etnographic sources, as they are the only ones we know much about.

 

[lyttlegough]

Yes we agree with you moko & simon E. We have had long talks about moving the main reason is the fact that we are sitting down wind of a nuclear power station. QUOTE]

You're doing what I for one would love to - if I had the nerve.
Have you read 'The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency' by John Seymour ISBN 0751304263