I’m not sure the entire theory behind humans dominating based on their ability to run long distances to wear out their prey was the best strategy. The best hunters take down their prey before they are even capable of running away (like an arrow or spear to the lungs).
I think it’s supposed to predate weapons, especially the bow. Like run them down then kill them with a sharp pointy rock because it’s all you have.
then kill them with a sharp pointy rock
In persistence hunting, at least the kind that humans practice, the prey mostly dies through indirect effects like exhaustion or heat stroke. You just keep tracking until you find a dead deer lying around basically, brought down simply by constantly having to flee your incessant pursuit again and again.
We domesticated dogs first, because they were the only animal that could kind of keep up.
Apparently dogs more-or-less domesticated themselves as scavengers around human settlements and were initially used for transportation (sledding in ancient Siberia), vs hunting - here’s a pretty decent podcast: https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/the-first-dogs
Still love how humans can cover the most distance out of all animals, except maybe horses
We can run both horses and dogs to death and keep jogging
Horses are actually remarkably easy to accidentally kill.
Humans are the it follows of the animal kingdom.
Humams are also an invasive species out of its original ecological niche. They were supposed to stay in Africa with the hyenas, cocodriles and lions keeping them in check.
Once humans learned to throw sharp sticks and not venture too far alone the threat of any predators is greatly diminished. The moment any kind of civilization formed there’s no amount of hyenas and Crocs and lions that could keep humans in check. I doubt the civilizations of ancient Nubia lived in fear of predators.
