If the mind of the first human functioned
differently from his immediate predecessor, his thoughts were undoubtedly directed toward the same end: survival. To prehistoric
man or “Man-in-the-Bush”, survival was everything. That meant he needed food (and water), some sort of shelter
or clothing and the ability to defend himself. Those were things which dominated his thoughts – and even prior to his
development of language (as such), those were the things which dominated his speech. Food, shelter, security … and
of course, sex.
But if sex was in the back of his
mind a lot, Man-in-the-Bush didn’t need sex to survive. The species did, but many species can survive quite well with
only very occasional sexual activity - by only very few of its members. And considering humankind’s natural predisposition
toward frequent sexual activity, amongst both sexes, the sex drive probably didn’t generate a lot of thought or planning.
It probably did, however, even as it does today, generate considerable passion - and conflict, which was dealt with summarily.
Security also was less of a daily concern. Dangerous animals were a normal
part of hunting, or could be avoided if their presence was known, but could not otherwise be easily controlled. Other tribes
could be cooperated with, conquered or fled from when encountered, but constant war was a thing of the future. Conflict undoubtedly
arose between members of a tribe, but once the dominant members had established their position, things settled down until
an up-and-coming younger member challenged a superior in the status quo – death, exile or subservience, for
one or the other, resulting in short order.
Shelter
too, did not require much daily attention. Upon arrival to a new hunting ground, shelter could could be found or constructed
with relative ease, but otherwise took little long-term thought, energy or communication.
So, up until the agricultural revolution of about 12,000 years ago, finding enough to eat and having
access to water were the primary, daily concerns. Without water, life ends in a few days; without food, a few weeks, at most.
With no prospect for either, all other conscious concerns slip by the wayside rather quickly. With nothing but food and water,
however, life might continue for years, even decades. The need for sustenance is immediate, daily, and absolute. But the two
go hand-in-hand. Where there is water, there is, almost always, food.
One of the differences between food and water is what can be done with them. Any particular food item, particularly
amongst omnivores, is dispensible. Water, however, when it comes to survival, has almost no substitute. A human being may
survive for some time on the liquid nutrients in plants, bushmen did it regularly, but that is an exception. On the other
hand, the possible variations for the use and preparation of even a single food source are almost unlimited - well noted by
Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue in his poetic tribute to shrimp.
For Man-in-the-Bush, water was the primary necessity, food secondary. The availability of food was more
widespread, seasonal, and often mobile. He could follow the herds, fill his belly and supplement his diet with nuts, grains,
fruits and vegetables found along the way. The herds themselves had the same, if less conscious, concerns. They were also
always on the march, seeking greener pastures and fresh waters.
They met at the watering holes, where often, there was, and still is, conflict. The word "rival" has the
same Latin root as the word "river". Even today, conflict over water rights is common, from municipalities reaching
hundreds of miles into the surrounding countryside to beachfront communities limiting the access of outsiders, mankind fights
over water. Today’s great cities, almost without exception, grew up around good ports, with deep waters and easy access
to trade routes. In rural areas, it is estimated that up to a billion people still do not have access to clean water. Not
much has changed; from prehistory through the advancement of civilization, the need and availability of water is, and always
has been, critical.
From a broader perspective, wildlife
still fight at watering holes; and beneath the earth, everywhere, plants fight, root against root, for water. Water is life.
Man-in-the-Bush, in his various tribal cultures, fought over access to
water and would often stay until the water or food ran out. Chances are, if they didn't run out, he would stay. Some surely
did. Others continued to follow the herds, as some do even today, though the herds have been domesticated. Most of those learned
to settle somewhere near water and move their herds from pasture to pasture (instead of themselves) - still the most prevalent
form of ranching today. Still others began, at some point, (where is of no significance), to sow and harvest. Thus began the
agricultural revolution1.
The hunter/gatherer
had become a fisherman, farmer or rancher.
With less
time required for hunting and gathering, more time could be devoted to personal comfort and shelter. Man-in-the-Bush had long
since worn skins to to protect his skin from the elements, rock & thorns. He already knew the basics of building, having
regularly fashioned temporary structures. Now he began, in earnest, to refine his skills.
He still used thatch to cover huts where that was as much as was needed, but added timbers and mub or
daub for strength, longevity and increased security. Where the winters were cold and the trees tall and straight he used logs,
taking advantage of the workability, strength and insulating properties of timber. In desert areas, he uncovered the secrets
of adobe, so efficient at soaking up the sun's rays during the long hot days and re-emitting that heat in the chill of the
night.
Stone, however, had the permanence that became
symbolic of the strength and stability of the civilizations which arose after the agricultural revolution. From what are now
Zimbabwe to Peru to China to Egypt to England, stone was cut and shaped and patterned to represent not only the qualities
inherent in it, but the inspirations and visions of the people.
So too did his clothing and furnishings become more more functional, more complex and more highly decorated. Skins
were tanned into leather. Certain plants were discovered to have qualities inherent within them which allowed for the fabrication
of cloth. Vegetable and mineral were processed into dies which were used to add color to garments.
Gradually, as the qualities hidden in the materials of the natural environment were unlocked, the man-made
environment grew to reflect it. The uses, textures, colors and appearance of natural materials manifested themselves as forms
of expression, the natural byproduct of function. Using creativity and imagination, Man-in-the-Bush, both stimulated and limited
by his environment, had become a builder, craftsman and artist. Civilization began to take shape and differences in culture
began to become recognizable.
Even as a forest is
an outgrowth of its climate and geography, so too is culture. And as a flowering plant draws nutrients from the soil throughout
the year, marshals its resources over the seasons, reaches for the sun and explodes finally in a personal display of color
and scent, so does mankind, in his various cultures, celebrate life with an outburst of song and dance, of texture, form
and color.
Culture is the flower of man.
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Notes: 1) The Agricultural Revolution was as much a revolution
in animal husbandry as it was in farming.
