The human predatory pattern

Humans consume more meat than any other primate. We are also the only primate to regularly eat animals larger than ourselves. This is the human predatory pattern, but how, when, and why did this happen? What were the ecological and evolutionary circumstances that positioned our ancestors to become the first primate intruders into the carnivore guild? New fossil and archaeological discoveries dating between 4 – 2 million years ago continue to pull back the curtain on these questions, and new theoretical framing draws from nutritional and ecological literature to examine its consequences even today. The human predatory pattern had impacts across hominin anatomy, technology, and social behavior, starting with the first blow of stone on bone to access the marrow inside. This talk will summarize this new evidence and how it contributes to the changing story of human omnivory.