Foraging of Homo ergaster and Australopithecus boisei in East African environments

In this paper we present the initial results of an agent-based model of foraging of hominids. The model represents foraging activities in a landscape that is based on detailed measurements of food availability in the modern East African environments. These current landscapes are used as a model for the environment of the hominids one million years ago. We explore the spatial and temporal consequences of foraging patterns in different types of semi-arid landscapes and different types of hominids (Homo ergaster and Australopithecus boisei) who are defined with different abilities and preferences. Contact: Marco A. Janssen School of Informatics & Center for the Study of Institutions, Population, and Environmental Change Indiana University 408 North Indiana Avenue Bloomington, IN 47408-3799 USA Voice: (812) 855 5178 Fax: (812) 855 2634 e-mail: [email protected] Keywords: foraging, hominids, field data Foraging of Homo ergaster and Australopithecus boisei in East African environments Marco A. Janssen, Jeanne M. Sept, Cameron S. Griffit