Modified: 2024-01-26 8:33 PM CST
For example: It got much colder last night; I knew it would from the breeze coming over the mountain following the hard rain. Fortunately, I had build a bigger fire in our cave before sleeping and it still had plenty of glowing embers. I carefully added small pieces of dry tree branches while blowing on the embers and a small flame was a pleasant result. I slowly added bigger branches I had stored from yesterday and soon the fire was roaring to life and I added bigger pieces I had chopped with my hand axe...
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1/24/24
Last night was endurable despite the cold. My family and I huddled together for warmth in this new cave. I hope that this land is rich enough in animals, nuts, and berries for us to stay here for longer than our last camp. I wake up my kids to start a new day, while my husband works to rekindle the fire that has almost completely gone out. The children and I take a winding path that leads to the water. We watch for predators as each of us gets a sip. We return to the camp, where my husband is waiting to gather the boys for their first hunting trip in our new territory. My husband teaches our boys the art of hunting while I pass on my knowledge of nuts and berries to our girls. My husband and I hope that our children learn to be skilled in hunting and gathering so we will survive these harsh winters. We all gather to eat the last of the berries from yesterday. It really is not enough to fuel our bodies for a busy day, but hopefully we will have meat and berries tonight. My sons gather their sharp sticks and spears while my daughters and I gather animal skins to carry the nuts and berries that we will hopefully find. My daughters and I forage for hours, finally we find a pecan tree and several berry bushes not far from it. The sun is starting to set, so we head back to the cave to find the boys skinning a couple of rabbits. A deer would have meant more meat, but hopefully between the rabbits, berries, and nuts we will be able to sleep tonight without hunger pangs. We cook the rabbits over the fire as the children crack pecans. It is time to sleep at last. I place the woven barrier across the opening of the cave, and we all huddle up to one another for warmth. I know that I am not alone in my hunger, but we are all still alive despite these conditions-that is a successful day.
1/26/24
I sit against the wall of the cave close to the fire where we sleep. I am satiated tonight. We were successful today in our persistence hunt, running down a big deer. Our group ate the rich meat and there is enough for the 9 of us to eat tomorrow. Nevertheless, we will hunt again when the sun rises. I take a stick and place it in the fire. When the end is adequately charred, I remove it from the flames. Turning to the wall, I raise the stick and place the end against the smooth rock surface. Lit by the shadows of the flame dancing against the surface I trace outlines, drawing the running animal we killed, my group in pursuit.
The old one tells the tale of the hunt as I recreate the scene and the two young ones listen intently while another scrapes the stretched skin of the animal. Nothing goes to waste. Hides protect us from the cold outside the shelter and the fire protects us from cold entering the cave. This is my life, simple but harsh. Every day, except for the most extreme winter conditions, we hunt and forage. We are hungry and cold many times throughout the winter season, yet we manage to survive.
In this primitive hominin setting around 1 million years ago, my role as a woman includes not only personal survival but also caring for my family. As the morning sun rises, the cold air reminds me to add more wood to the fire in our cave, providing warmth for my husband and two boys. Last night, I had made sure to prepare for the temperature drop, making sure there was warmth for my family. Once the fire is going, my morning routine involves checking the safety of our surroundings. I have a responsibility of looking out for my husband and two energetic boys along with our daily activities. Together, as a close-knit family, we plan the day's tasks. Our family relies on a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. While the men, including my husband, venture out for hunting, I gather plant materials with my two boys in tow. The children learning essential skills for survival, like which plants are edible and understanding how nature works. Throughout the day, our family goes with the flow of nature, adapting to whatever comes our way. The boys imitate their father's hunting techniques and get excited about exploring. It's hands-on learning, passing down skills from one generation to the next. As the sun starts to set, we head back to the safety of the cave, a shared space that brings us together. We share stories around the fire from the day, making our family bonds even stronger. Nighttime comes with its own tasks. Together, we make sure the cave entrance is safe from any nighttime dangers. Life as a primitive hominin isn't just about surviving on your own; it's about caring for and keeping the family close, a timeless concept that stays at the heart of who we are.