Question

Discuss the extent to which (a) hunting and (b) constructing shelters would have been facilitated by the use of language. What other modes of communication could have been used for these activities?

Answer 1

With the passage of time, the capacity of human brain developed, which gradually led to the communication among early humans. Initially, the communication remained highly restricted to the non-verbal modes involving gestures. However, with the passage of time, the evolution of the voice box took place and the communication methods became more advanced. Simple gestures were now replaced by whistling, talking and singing (together they can be regarded as language used by the early man). This further simplified communication; the ideas and thoughts could be easily expressed. All this highly facilitated the early man in the efficient conduct of daily errands involving hunting and constructing shelters.

The extent to which hunting and constructing shelters have been facilitated by the use of language has been explained below.

a) Hunting

i. Man could now inform his group about any sighting of an animal that could be hunted

ii. Planning and executing hunting strategies became easier

iii. Sharing of experiences led to easy diffusion of the tool-making technical know-how and successful hunting techniques. These shared stories of success, in turn, infused early man with the confidence to hunt more efficiently

iv. The use of language enabled early humans to caution their associates of any approaching danger. Thus, they acted as support for each other in times of any exigency.

b) Constructing shelters
Besides facilitating hunting, the evolution of language also enabled early man in constructing shelters. He could now discuss the choice of the site for building shelters along with his construction plans. Coordination in the process of construction of shelters was also possible by communication.

Other than the use of language, work of art such as paintings and engravings also served as means of communication. Paintings were made to share the news of successful hunting expeditions, techniques and tools so used. The presence of such paintings on the cave walls argues that the early humans used to gathered together to share their experiences and socialise.