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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Location
Ithaca, New York
Start Date
27-9-1983 12:00 AM
Description
In the beginning, humans and the so-called "lower animals" would meet cautiously and fleetingly, both intent on the basic goals of survival - food and water for the belly and shelter or other escape from more powerful enemies who regarded them as dinner entrees. This situation prevailed until puny man threw the first stone or swung a heavy club and realized that he could catch fleeter animals and kill larger ones than himself with his new tools. Thus instead of a grubby existence on plants, fruits, and insects, humans with their new toys eventually became efficient predators. Most of the graffiti on ancient cave walls depict scenes of the hunt. The focus on animals by these primitive subway artists may have been bragging about past hunts but was more likely the superstitious belief that drawing about killing game would make it come true. Superstition and religion have colored the relationships between humans and animals in some segments of society right up to modern times.
Recommended Citation
Fitzwater, W. D. (1983). Humans versus animals. In Decker, D. J. (Ed.), The First Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 187-190). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
Included in
Humans Versus Animals
Ithaca, New York
In the beginning, humans and the so-called "lower animals" would meet cautiously and fleetingly, both intent on the basic goals of survival - food and water for the belly and shelter or other escape from more powerful enemies who regarded them as dinner entrees. This situation prevailed until puny man threw the first stone or swung a heavy club and realized that he could catch fleeter animals and kill larger ones than himself with his new tools. Thus instead of a grubby existence on plants, fruits, and insects, humans with their new toys eventually became efficient predators. Most of the graffiti on ancient cave walls depict scenes of the hunt. The focus on animals by these primitive subway artists may have been bragging about past hunts but was more likely the superstitious belief that drawing about killing game would make it come true. Superstition and religion have colored the relationships between humans and animals in some segments of society right up to modern times.