Final answer:
The emergence of hunting and increased meat consumption in hominids were driven by climatic changes necessitating a high-calorie diet, continued evolution that favored cognitive skills for creating tools and cooperative hunting, and the critical roles of both men and women in the subsistence strategies of early hominids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for Increased Meat Consumption in Hominids
The emergence of hunting and increased meat consumption among hominids can be attributed to a variety of factors. Shifts in climate, which led to colder conditions, necessitated a calorie-rich diet, contributing to an increased reliance on cooked meat. This is supported by archaeological evidence showcasing an increase in brain size in Homo erectus and the use of fire for cooking. Additionally, the advent of hunting tools and strategies indicates sophisticated cognitive skills and the need for enhanced cooperation and communication, possibly leading to the development of language.
In response to the "man the hunter" hypothesis, feminist researchers have proposed the "woman the gatherer" hypothesis, highlighting the importance of plant foods in early hominid diets and the likelihood that women played a critical role in early hominid subsistence. Both hunting and gathering contributed to the survival and advancement of hominids, with advancements in tool-making affecting both activities.
The transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture around 12,000 years ago marks a significant change, but before this, the ability to hunt, process meat, and utilize tools for gathering were indispensable for the evolution of hominids. The adaptation to a diet including meat and other high-quality foods may be represented by the presence of spears and evidence of hunting larger, faster prey indicating advanced planning and execution.