Assessment Questions 3.9

1. What does the study of chimp attacks reveal about the nature of these assaults?

The study found that coalitional assaults among chimps are widespread, occurring in 15 out of 18 study locations. The attacks are not random but are more frequent in areas and times of high competition for resources, suggesting adaptive benefits for the group in eliminating competition.

2. According to Fry and Söderberg's analysis, what is the nature of lethal events among modern groups of foraging people?

Fry and Söderberg's analysis of 21 groups of foraging people found that homicides were common, with the majority being male-on-male violence. About one-third of the cases involved inter-group killings, possibly fitting a broad definition of warfare.

3. What archaeological evidence is mentioned in the passage regarding violence among ancient humans?

The passage mentions a 430,000-year-old cranium from the Sima de los Huesos site in Spain, exhibiting evidence of fatal violence, interpreted as a possible case of murder. The Nataruk site in Kenya provides evidence of wholesale slaughter, including sharp stone weapons embedded in bones, possibly described as a form of war.