The study reveals that Paleolithic stone quarries weren’t randomly placed. Instead, they consistently appeared near water sources and along known prehistoric elephant migration routes. This strategic choice of ancient quarry locations in relation to elephant migration allowed early humans to efficiently hunt elephants, a significant food source for these ancient people.
Elephants as a Food Source
Elephants represented a significant food source for Paleolithic humans. A successful elephant hunt could provide a bounty of meat, enough to sustain a group for a considerable time. Studies of Paleolithic sites like Gesher Benot Ya’akov in Israel show just how important elephants were to the diet of our ancestors. The butchering process required sharp tools and nearby stone quarries played a vital role in this process.