Early Humans = Vegetarian Prey Animals

A new article in Newsweek (called "Beyond Stones & Bones: The new science of the brain and DNA is rewriting the history of human origins" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17542627/site/newsweek/) dispels (once again) the myth that early humans were meat-eaters. Faulty evidence, specious speculations, male-dominated anthropology studies, and a denial that humans were actually the prey and not the predator - all perpetuated the myth that our early evolutionary selves were macho meat-eaters and hunters.

I've said many times before, particularly in response to people like Michael Pollan, who insist that if we don't eat meat we're "denying our evolutionary heritage," that even though that's STILL not a good enough reason to keep eating animals, we never seem to remember that we came AFTER the large predatory animals - as food for them!

Thanks to this article, the new studies it refers to, and a revised exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, Michael Pollan can begin to eat his words. Here's an excerpt from the article:

“They [one early species in our evolution] had small teeth good for fruits and nuts, but not meat. (The available prey was enough to make one a confirmed vegetarian: hyenas the size of bears, saber-toothed cats and other mega-reptiles and raptors.) That suggests that early humans were more often prey than predators, says anthropologist Robert Sussman of Washington University, coauthor of the 2005 book "Man the Hunted." The evidence is as stark as the many fossil skulls containing holes made by big cats and talon marks from raptors.

The realization that early humans were the hunted and not hunters has upended traditional ideas about what it takes for a species to thrive. For decades the reigning view had been that hunting prowess and the ability to vanquish competitors was the key to our ancestors' evolutionary success (an idea fostered, critics now say, by the male domination of anthropology during most of the 20th century). But prey species do not owe their survival to anything of the sort, argues Sussman. Instead, they rely on their wits and, especially, social skills to survive. Being hunted brought evolutionary pressure on our ancestors to cooperate and live in cohesive groups. That, more than aggression and warfare, is our evolutionary legacy.”

I really encourage people to feel confident enough to debunk the myths about eating a plant-based diet. Even if we couldn't demonstrate that early humans were meat-eaters (I really do think the point is moot), we have all the reasons and resources in the world to eat low on the food chain and do so healthfully and confidently. But because there are so many - both high- and low-profile people - using our early ancestry as a *reason* to eat animals, I think it's important to respond with the type of research outlined in this article.

The Cure for Historical Amnesia

Since this is the closest I can come to shouting from the rooftops, here goes. I want to tell you about a book that I, personally, think is one of the most important books written - ever. The name of it is For the Prevention of Cruelty: The History and Legacy of Animal Rights Activism in the United States and I can't recommend it highly enough. When I first heard about it - by seeing the author, Diane Beers, speak at the Strength of Many Conference in L.A. last year (put on by Animals and Society Institute and the Culture and Animals Foundation), I was blown away. I could not believe this story hadn't been told before. How is it possible that this book hadn't been written until now?

I think it's so important for activists to know upon whose shoulders we stand. Otherwise, I think we risk what Diane calls "historical amnesia," which I think is detrimental to any social cause. Diane is a historian and scholar, and she cares deeply about this story, about its heroes (many of whom are women!), about the speciesism so rampant in our society, and about telling the story accurately and eloquently. She is a thorough researcher and dug through buried documents and photographs and left no stone uncovered. Her writing is beautiful and her respect for the subject is evident.

Having said that, THIS IS NOT A BOOK THAT WILL APPEAL ONLY TO ANIMAL ACTIVISTS! If you've ever had a dog or a cat, if you've ever donated to an SPCA, if you've ever wondered why activists do the work we do, if you've ever worked for any social justice cause, if you just want to read a fascinating, beautifully written, eloquently told story, PLEASE buy this book.

I promise you it's not full of disturbing accounts of animal abuse; it's a story about the bravery and courage and steadfastness and determination and dedication of the early activists, many of whom were women and most of whom were involved in other social causes, such as child abuse, abolition of slavery, and voting rights for women. It's also about the founding of organizations you most likely support today - the ASPCA, the AAVS, and the local SPCAs. You'll be fascinated to know the animal rights movement started out of concern for work horses and centered in Philadelphia. That Jack London was an outspoken advocate for circus animals and was the inspiration that caused Ringling Barnum and Bailey Circus to STOP having animal acts for five years. That Mark Twain was a staunch opponent to animal research and wrote a critically acclaimed and popular book about it.

Anyway, please buy the book - and after you do, write a review on Amazon.com. You can order it through my bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/compassiona02-20/detail/0804010870/002-1175387-3308023 (for which Compassionate Cooks earns a small commission). But whatever you do, buy the book!? OKAY? Nuff said.

P.S. My interview with Diane Beers will appear in the April issue of Satya Magazine (http://www.satyamag.com), so if you're not a subscriber yet, I encourage you to become one! :)