Jacqui of WordDreams is writing these amazing books on the early species of us … and has asked that we contribute various articles on aspects of their life … mine is:
Jacqui - smiling happily
How did they store water?
Essentially they wouldn't have wanted to store it … as they'd have known where to find sources:
... they couldn't live without water;
... noting the seasonal swings;
... watching game and birds go to drink;
... they'd have noted the seasonal fruits and herbs ready to eat
... also they'd have realised there were water storing plants which are moisture rich in their flesh or roots …
For instance the !nara melon (Acanthosicyos horridus) has tap roots penetrating down to water near the water table (not obvious in the landscape).
Nara Melon
These ancient inhabitants would have lived in and around an area where there'd have been sufficient resources to support the group, only spreading out when numbers of their group became too many, or they met others and thus Neanderthals spread …
Bushmen drinking from
the bi bulb
They'd have been constantly learning … adding to each generations' brain power as the semi-nomadic peoples lived and learnt.
They'd have lived in caves … where possibly a permanent water supply might have been found … or near a spring line …
Rivers were (and still are) both permanent - or ephemeral – would have been located and noted …
A Bushman drinking from an ostrich egg
They'd have realised that Ostrich eggs could be used for storing/carrying water … these huge very nutritious eggs … would have been invaluable to indigenous groups … they'd learn to create sip-wells ... feeding water into an ostrich egg ...
Rocky outcrop
There were no straight lines (despite those modern day tyre tracks!) to be followed, or corners cut … they had to find their way each day, otherwise they would not have been able to survive long.
Beef tripe - prepared for filling
When they wanted to travel beyond their normal range … they'd have taken cleaned out intestines and stomachs of animals to hold enough water in case of need … but they'd not require much – those early peoples were very resilient.
Book two of the trilogy
due out in April
Jacqui's email details ... all her wonderful contributors can be found here ...
Word Dreams Book Blast for Endangered Species
I just congratulate Jacqui - her books are fascinating ... and I so enjoy them - it's great so many of us are promoting her second book in the trilogy ...
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
2 comments:
I realise that our ancestors noted the seasonal fruits and herbs were ready to eat and tasted delicious. But I wonder if they knew that many fruits and vegetables carried a high percentage of water eg cucumbers and celery.
Huge congratulations to Jacquie.
And yes, our long ago ancestors were resourceful. They had to be.
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