Research

I have presented my research as a series of questions and answers. Click here, instead, for a citation list.

• Q: Do the Hadza have good eyesight?
  A: Compared to city-dwellers yes, compared to other rural groups, not especially. [Under Revision]
• Q: Would all modern humans leave long-lasting evidence of symbolism?
  A: No, so we should not overinterpret the archaeological record. [Under Review]
• Q: Will foragers pay costs to signal foraging skills in an experimental setting?
  A: Not often [Under Revision]
• Q: By their own estimation, what motivates Hadza foragers to hunt, gather and share?
  A: Many things, first among them family provisioning, showing off and reciprocity. [Under Review]
• Q: Do religion and market proximity make people more beneficent towards outsiders?
  A: Religion, no. Market proximity, yes!
• Q: Are evolutionary anthropologists confused about food sharing?
  A: No, they aren't
• Q: Do better hunters and their wives have better nutrition?
  A: I find little evidence that they do.
• Q: Does democratised access to lethal weaponary maintain egalitarianism?
  A: Probably not, but it's a interesting idea.
• Q: Is Hadza hunting success measurably related to digit ratio?
  A: No.
• Q: Is hunting a good way of showing off skill?
  A: It remains to be seen, but we need better predictions and cannot use costs as evidence.
• Q: Do Hadza hunting reputations predict actual hunting skills?
  A: Yes, noisily.