What's more important to life … water, shelter, or food … or …. looking after all of Nature …
The lands our early ancestors explored … needed to escape from … stretched far into the distance … further than their eyes could see … what lay ahead – and how could they take care of their wandering communities.
Jacqui - very happy with life
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| An area known as "Moonscape" in the Namib Desert |
Depending on the season our ancestors would reach out across the physical features of earth … following ephemeral river systems … being there when the rains would let lose their life giving waters …
Swakop River - flooding through,
opening up into the Atlantic Ocean,
having been in ephemeral state
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| Female Welwitschia plant - showing the cones, which are ripe and can be eaten raw or cooked |
… they knew they had to be near a water source, while they could manage without food for one to two months at a time – the moon cycles – they'd know they needed to find some meat, fish, plants and fruits … and which suited the human system – to keep the clan alive ...
Shelter was essential too – if the area was wind-driven, they'd need to hide away at times, keeping out of the sun … and making sure they were protected in winter …
Mopane Tree
Those early indigenous peoples would know which parts of plants were edible, where to find them, which season they would appear … and if there were insects living around the plant … they could possibly be harvested … as mopane worms are to this day.
Mopane Worm on a twig
Tamarix, Acacia, Camelthorn, Mopane trees … also provide shelter and firewood – once the indigenous peoples had learnt about fire – these particular trees are known for their hardwood.
Over millennia our ancestors would have noticed nesting birds, which birds would nest in scrapes, and how useful finding and building shelters would be ... also to access these birds for extra food - eggs and meat ... 
Birds would snuggle into the
lichen hiding their young and eggs
Papyrus sedge has been used for millennia, as fossil records have noted, for fastenings … many stringy or fibrous plants … Welwitschia, Papyrus, reed strands would be put to a good many uses …
A Welwitschia plant - which can live
over 1,000 years - fibrous trails
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| Dune Spinach - edible |
Over time man has grown wily – now our brains are relatively large, with an enormous amount of power … to control the various areas of our life as we progress … ?? ever forward.
We've managed to use and subdue most things … have we thought about life itself … we in the 21st century may never know what the future holds for the sophisticated animal that is today's man … but by encountering and mastering Savage Land … we've learnt … or have we …
as Jacqui says in her strap line to Savage Land
Nature Almost Wins …
Man v Nature - Jacqui's series - on how man survived critical events on our evolution ...
My earlier post in January 2025 ...
Jacqui's introduction to my delayed posting - apologies to one and all - tis here now ...
Thanks for visiting ... and do buy/read Jacqui's books - they're very readable and enjoyable ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
50 comments:
That Welwitschia plant is interesting. I can see how our ancestors might have harvested the fibers to use as threads. Badlands is such a good book. I read the first book in the Savage Land series, too, and now I'm looking forward to the third book!
What a wonderful summary of the challenges faced by our ancestors. Bravo, Hilary! And thank you for welcoming me to your site.
You're spot on, Priscilla. They did seek out sturdy threads for cordage. Thanks for reading!
You can't go wrong buying Jacqui's books, especially the Savage Land trilogy. They'll keep you entertained and turning pages.
What an interesting post! There is so much hidden within nature that can sustain us. I loved Badlands and highly recommend it. Congratulations, Jacqui, on this great spotlight post!
Modern man has forgotten or chooses to ignore the things that ancient man knew and used. Our brains may be larger, but are they used to better purpose? Some are, certainly, but most people just drift through life, without much thought.
@anneli Thank you! You are starting my day off just right!
@Jan I was pretty excited when Hilary wanted to apply her curious and prodigious brain to a discussion of my ancient people. She did a great job!
@Jabblog Don't get me started! I will depress both of us. Needless to say, I agree!
@ Priscilla - thanks for coming by ... the Welwitschia is amazing to see in real life. Yes the fibres of plants, trees, are still useful to us in life. That's great you're looking forward to reading more of Jacqui's books - they are excellent ...
@ Jacqui - great to see you so early here - thank you. Some ideas of our ancestors past ... it's a pleasure to have you here - I've always loved your books ...
@ Anneli - you're so right - you can't go wrong reading Jacqui's books - they do keep you tied down into the story line ...
@ Jan - thank you ... there is so much nature holds on our behalf if we can remember to find out the values of the various aspects of life. Jacqui's books are extraordinary ...
@ Janice - you're so right modern man is ignorant of so much, and also doesn't think it can learn much from the past - most people probably do appreciate what's out there. Think about the Iberian grid collapse last month ... 'everyone was lost' ... we really do need to learn how to cope ... I think I can ...
Cheers - I see Jacqui has done her professional thing - and already been and acknowledged all commenters - thanks Jacqui ... Hilary
I've been wondering whether early man knew what plants were edible and which were poisonous by trial-and-error (X ate that mushroom and died) or instinct.
@priscilla A little of both, I think. Sometimes, smell. Look--loud colors are dangerous, even then. Good question!
It's amazing how our ancestors had an intricate relationship with nature. For then, looking after nature was not just an ideal, but also a crucial element of survival.
@ Liz - Jacqui's right ... a little of both - and who tried oysters first, or mussels, ate their meat raw, and again the bright colour would have put the indigenous peoples off ...
@ Pradeep - what you say here is completely right ... just a huge pity most people don't realise the damage we're doing ... what happens in our future ... is anyone's guess ...
Cheers to the two of you - thanks for visiting - Hilary
It's hard to even think of a time when people didn't have the comforts we have. But I'm sure it took eons before people figured out how to make the things we have today. I can't imagine how they lived, but clearly they did. And thrived.
So glad to see Savage Land featured here. Excellent book. Excellent author. Excellent host.
I've read many of Jacqui's books and I love them. This is a wonderful presentation of Jacqui's new book and I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you Hillary.
@Pradeep You are absolutely correct. They didn't control nature as we seem to think we do. Thanks for dropping in.
@Liz They appreciated what they had as far as we can tell, like many of today's hunter gatherer communities. Thanks for the comment!
@Sandra Thank you thank you! Good to hear from you
@Thomas Thank you so much, Thomas. It's wonderful to hear you enjoy them!
We have come a long way! Big congratulations, Jacqui.
Congratulations, Jacqui!
Congratulations Jacquie. How I wish that we too could learn to work with rather than against nature...
@Alex Thank you! We are an interesting genus!
@Dawn Thank you! It's a good day.
@Elephant's Child Me, too. The Indians did it. It's not an attitude that is confusing. Sigh.
One of most fascinating things to think about is how Neanderthals learned all these things. They must have gone through a lot of trial and error. Survival meant learning continuously and making good decisions.
@Pete It is fascinating. They were a huge step above using stones as tools. They actually cooked bark to make glue--the sort of stuff that required chemistry to do properly. How did they figure that out??
Good insights in how those who came before us lived--and no, I don't think I would want to go back to such a time...
Wow I loved this post. Thanks for sharing Hilary. I felt like I was transported into ancient Africa. Feels like a story. Jacqui I was sad because I thought the blog travelling was over but now you started again by going to Hilary's 😃 I want to try eating one of those Welwitschia cones
Very interesting. I can't imagine living like that. Looking for food and being 1 to 2 months without it, finding shelter etc. Life was a lot less complicated, though. Yes our brains are large now. Wonder if AI will take over slowly, and if it will stay that way
@ Liz – it is very hard to think what it was like to live in earlier times, and yes … it certainly took eons for life to evolve and 'us' to create new things or adapt what nature provides us …
@ Sandra – thanks … you're so right Jacqui's books are excellent …
@ Thomas – that's great you've read Jacqui's books – they are well worth a read. So pleased you appreciated my approach to this post … enjoy Jacqui's next book …
@ Alex – we have come a long way … Jacqui does so well with her books …
@ Dawn – great to see you here …
@ EC – your comment is so pertinent … I wish we could learn to work with nature and more appreciate its value …
@ Pete – so much change for us all … it's fascinating to think about how they worked through life in the eras gone by …
@ Jeff – thank you I'm glad you appreciated the post … and I have to say I wouldn't want to go back …
@ Red Deer – thank you so much: I'm glad you could relate to my thoughts. It's great being able to meet other bloggers whom I've never come across … it's the one thing that keeps me engaged with blogging.
I wonder what those Welwitschia cones would taste like … I thought about it when I saw the plants in the desert setting …
@ Marja – oh I can't think about living as a Neanderthal … or for that matter living from moment to their next meal, shelter … finding new water sources …
AI – we have no idea what the future holds do we …
@ Jacqui – thanks so much for replying to your commenters … great appreciation … @ Jacqui – great replies to others' thoughts …
Thanks so much … I'm glad this post has got us thinking back and forwards … we do live in interesting times. Cheers Hilary
@Hilary This is what I love about visiting blogs--chatting with their communities, people I wouldn't normally meet. I am most appreciative of the opportunity you've given me.
Congratulations to Jacque on the release of her latest book. I hope it does very well. Humankind’s brain capacity and function has increased over time, and we have learned how to build on past successes to advance further. Whether we have learned to act wisely is another matter entirely, and I think we all know the answer to that. Best wishes - David
Very worthy and beautiful topic! There's so much that is gone or under direct threat in the nature of America right now, it breaks my heart.
Hi Hilary, this is a very interesting post. Thank you for sharing it.
@David Thank you! I am excited to get Book 2 out and focus now on Book 3. That will wrap up my story. You are so right about the 'act wisely' comment. I have no answer for that. I doubt anyone does (well, AI probably does!).
@J Lenni Mankind paid much better attention to Nature's needs in the past and then, things changed.
@Robbie Thanks for visiting! Hilary went well beyond in hosting me. I have loved being here.
We have indeed managed to use and subdue most things, with each generation believing it was cleverer that whatever came before. Then suddenly the potato famine in Ireland emerges or Covid spreads around the world and millions of people die.
@ Jacqui - yes I really enjoy connecting with bloggers from around the world - our communities - exactly people we wouldn't normally meet ... yet who we learn so much from. Well frankly as bloggers we offer opportunities to each other ...
@ David - Jacqui's books are so interesting; while you've engaged us with many fascinating topics, especially your speciality our avian friends. Acting wisely ... seems so many struggle to have that capacity ... thankfully we live around others who can still act wisely and offer us leadership.
@ JL - thank you ... yes I gather American nature is under threat too ...
@ Robbie - you would know about our African friends ... probably more than I do ...
@ Hels - humanity does extend itself, whether it has learnt from history or not is another matter ..
@ Jacqui - thanks again ... always pertinent replies ...
Cheers to you all - and thanks for being here supporting Jacqui in her authorly enterprises - Hilary
Hi Hilary. I wondered where your blog went as I stopped receiving notifications. I found you through Jacqui's post and will attempt to re-subscribe. <3 Wonderful snippets of information about survival from Jacqui's post. I think it's fascinating that those before us who had nothing but what came from the earth learned what was poisonous and not. I think the senses were much more alive in those days too, which was essential to survival. Great feature! :)
Congratulations on your new book, Jacqui!
@ Debbie - yeah I'm still around ... but a little withdrawn. I'm afraid you can't subscribe (it doesn't work any more) - and it's something I need to work out a way round.
The thoughts of how we (the human animal) started out in life ... senses are so important and were evolving ... another subject to be followed up on, which is being developed ...
@ Deniz - great to see you here ...
Thanks you two - cheers Hilary
@Debby I've had that happen, too. I don't understand WP. Thank you for your kind words about my book!
@Deniz Thank you! Your visit is appreciated
A plant that lives over 1000 years....Wow.
It is amazing.
I've been teaching my littles ancient history for the last couple months, so I'm vibing hard with this. =) Hilary! How are you! And how fun to see Jacqui here! It's been too long.
Kudos to you for teaching that topic, Crystal. There is a lot to learn from history.
A fascinating area for research and reading. Congrats to Jacqui again for pulling off another excellent book,
I have never heard of Dune Spinach.
@ Sandra - thanks for your comments - the Welwitschia is an amazing plant ... yes over 1,500 years, they think, and I guess possibly older. Dune spinach ... I hadn't come across it either, but always interesting to learn about these plants ...
@ Jacqui - thanks for being so thorough and coming by to reply to the comments ...
@ Crystal - great to see you too; how fun that you're teaching the littlies ancient history - so much to learn from that era. Also to know that more is being found!
@ Lee - fun to see you here ... and as you say Jacqui's research is impeccable ... but it's great to add something extra in ...
Thanks to you all - lovely to see you ... cheers Hilary
@Lee Thank you!
The connection between ancient survival and our modern relationship with nature is beautifully drawn—both a tribute and a timely reminder!
@retirementreflections We can live amicably with nature. We just have to figure out how!
Hope you've had a lovely weekend, Hils.
Sorry to be late to comment. Just back from vacation. Congrats to her on her book. Your post was a nice add on for her. And yes, Nature always wins! I swear she's been trying to wake us up to her plight, but we ignore and carry on - not treating her with deserved respect.
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