Long before spears or arrows, humans hunted with their greatest weapon: endurance. The San people of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa perfected an extraordinary technique known as persistence hunting—a method where hunters would track and chase prey, often antelope or kudu, for hours across the blistering savanna. Unlike their prey, humans are uniquely adapted for long-distance running. We sweat efficiently to cool ourselves, walk upright to reduce sun exposure, and have incredible stamina. In contrast, most animals overheat quickly during sustained exertion.
A typical hunt might begin in the early morning. The hunter spots tracks, interprets their age and direction, then begins the pursuit—sometimes lasting 4 to 8 hours. The goal isn’t to outrun the animal in a sprint, but to exhaust it over time. As the heat rises, the animal slows, overheats, and eventually collapses from fatigue, allowing the hunter to approach and deliver a final blow. 1 reply
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