HED4805 Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number: 149215
Due Date: 16 May 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 The Most Effective Hunting Method for the San People (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Among the various hunting methods used by the San people, the poisoned arrow
technique stands out as the most effective, particularly in the context of their environment,
technological constraints, and survival strategies. While bows and arrows were a crucial
part of their toolkit, it was the poisoning of the arrows that maximised the effectiveness of
their hunts and improved their chances of survival.
The extract illustrates that the San were adept at crafting and using bows and arrows to
stalk and shoot animals. However, the arrows often lacked fletching, which reduced their
accuracy and ability to kill instantly (Seroto et al., 2020). Therefore, the San enhanced their
hunting success by applying poison to their arrowheads. This method did not require the
hunter to make a perfect, instantly lethal shot. Instead, even a minor wound inflicted by a
poisoned arrow could eventually result in the animal’s death. This gave hunters the
strategic advantage of injuring from a distance and tracking the animal over time until it
succumbed to the poison.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1
1.1 The Most Effective Hunting Method for the San People (2 ANSWERS
PROVIDED)
Evaluating the Most Effective Hunting Method
Introduction
Hunting formed the cornerstone of the San people’s survival strategies in southern
Africa. According to Seroto et al. (2020), the San employed various methods,
including bows and arrows as well as poisoning techniques, to secure game. Each
method demanded skill, strategy, and intricate knowledge of the environment. While
both approaches showcase the San’s adaptability and ingenuity, poisoning emerges
as a particularly effective strategy when assessed for its capacity to neutralize large
game and reduce direct confrontation.
Bow and Arrow Proficiency
The San’s bow and arrow method relied on careful stalking and proximity. As Seroto
et al. (2020) note, San hunters would approach prey within approximately 20 meters
before releasing an arrow. This close-range technique highlighted the hunters’
stealth and precision but presented a significant challenge: the arrows lacked
fletching and often missed the target. Even a well-placed arrow might not deliver an
instantly fatal strike on large animals like antelope, buffalo, or eland. Consequently,
the San had to develop exceptional tracking abilities to pursue wounded game,
ensuring that none escaped before succumbing to injury. This method required acute
observational skills and a deep understanding of animal behavior, but an arrow on its
own often lacked the power to kill swiftly (Seroto et al. 2020).
Effectiveness of Poisoning
The use of poison heightened the lethality of an arrow strike. Poisons derived from
caterpillars, beetle larvae, plants, or snake venom allowed the San to overcome the
limitations of their simple arrow design (Seroto et al. 2020). Even if the arrow did not
strike a critical organ, the toxin eventually weakened and killed the animal. This
meant that hunters could inflict a fatal wound without needing a perfectly placed
shot. Tracking the animal remained essential, but the poison worked continuously,
reducing the likelihood of the prey escaping or recovering. In some cases, the kill
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
might take hours or days, during which skilled trackers employed their knowledge of
terrain, animal behavior, and spoor interpretation (Wadley 2010). Though time-
consuming, the method’s reliability in ensuring a kill was noteworthy.
Strategic Advantage
By applying poison, the San managed risk more effectively. They did not have to
engage in prolonged chases or face the dangers of direct combat with powerful
animals. Furthermore, incorporating poison showcased a sophisticated
understanding of the natural environment, including which substances were lethal
and how to prepare them safely (Seroto et al. 2020). These insights were transferred
through non-formal education, with elders demonstrating the preparation and
application of toxins to younger generations (Wynn & Coolidge 2003). Consequently,
poisoning enhanced success rates while minimizing potentially life-threatening
encounters.
Conclusion
While the bow and arrow method itself demanded considerable stealth and
marksmanship, the addition of poisoning was pivotal. It multiplied the effectiveness
of each shot, offsetting the inherent shortcomings of unfletched arrows and ensuring
that even if a precise hit was not achieved, the poison would eventually secure the
kill. Thus, although both methods required high-level skills, the poisoning strategy
stands out as the more consistently effective approach for the San people, reflecting
their deep ecological knowledge and refined hunting expertise (Seroto et al. 2020).
OR
Among the various hunting methods used by the San people, the poisoned arrow
technique stands out as the most effective, particularly in the context of their
environment, technological constraints, and survival strategies. While bows and
arrows were a crucial part of their toolkit, it was the poisoning of the arrows that
maximised the effectiveness of their hunts and improved their chances of survival.
Unique Number: 149215
Due Date: 16 May 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 The Most Effective Hunting Method for the San People (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Among the various hunting methods used by the San people, the poisoned arrow
technique stands out as the most effective, particularly in the context of their environment,
technological constraints, and survival strategies. While bows and arrows were a crucial
part of their toolkit, it was the poisoning of the arrows that maximised the effectiveness of
their hunts and improved their chances of survival.
The extract illustrates that the San were adept at crafting and using bows and arrows to
stalk and shoot animals. However, the arrows often lacked fletching, which reduced their
accuracy and ability to kill instantly (Seroto et al., 2020). Therefore, the San enhanced their
hunting success by applying poison to their arrowheads. This method did not require the
hunter to make a perfect, instantly lethal shot. Instead, even a minor wound inflicted by a
poisoned arrow could eventually result in the animal’s death. This gave hunters the
strategic advantage of injuring from a distance and tracking the animal over time until it
succumbed to the poison.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1
1.1 The Most Effective Hunting Method for the San People (2 ANSWERS
PROVIDED)
Evaluating the Most Effective Hunting Method
Introduction
Hunting formed the cornerstone of the San people’s survival strategies in southern
Africa. According to Seroto et al. (2020), the San employed various methods,
including bows and arrows as well as poisoning techniques, to secure game. Each
method demanded skill, strategy, and intricate knowledge of the environment. While
both approaches showcase the San’s adaptability and ingenuity, poisoning emerges
as a particularly effective strategy when assessed for its capacity to neutralize large
game and reduce direct confrontation.
Bow and Arrow Proficiency
The San’s bow and arrow method relied on careful stalking and proximity. As Seroto
et al. (2020) note, San hunters would approach prey within approximately 20 meters
before releasing an arrow. This close-range technique highlighted the hunters’
stealth and precision but presented a significant challenge: the arrows lacked
fletching and often missed the target. Even a well-placed arrow might not deliver an
instantly fatal strike on large animals like antelope, buffalo, or eland. Consequently,
the San had to develop exceptional tracking abilities to pursue wounded game,
ensuring that none escaped before succumbing to injury. This method required acute
observational skills and a deep understanding of animal behavior, but an arrow on its
own often lacked the power to kill swiftly (Seroto et al. 2020).
Effectiveness of Poisoning
The use of poison heightened the lethality of an arrow strike. Poisons derived from
caterpillars, beetle larvae, plants, or snake venom allowed the San to overcome the
limitations of their simple arrow design (Seroto et al. 2020). Even if the arrow did not
strike a critical organ, the toxin eventually weakened and killed the animal. This
meant that hunters could inflict a fatal wound without needing a perfectly placed
shot. Tracking the animal remained essential, but the poison worked continuously,
reducing the likelihood of the prey escaping or recovering. In some cases, the kill
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
might take hours or days, during which skilled trackers employed their knowledge of
terrain, animal behavior, and spoor interpretation (Wadley 2010). Though time-
consuming, the method’s reliability in ensuring a kill was noteworthy.
Strategic Advantage
By applying poison, the San managed risk more effectively. They did not have to
engage in prolonged chases or face the dangers of direct combat with powerful
animals. Furthermore, incorporating poison showcased a sophisticated
understanding of the natural environment, including which substances were lethal
and how to prepare them safely (Seroto et al. 2020). These insights were transferred
through non-formal education, with elders demonstrating the preparation and
application of toxins to younger generations (Wynn & Coolidge 2003). Consequently,
poisoning enhanced success rates while minimizing potentially life-threatening
encounters.
Conclusion
While the bow and arrow method itself demanded considerable stealth and
marksmanship, the addition of poisoning was pivotal. It multiplied the effectiveness
of each shot, offsetting the inherent shortcomings of unfletched arrows and ensuring
that even if a precise hit was not achieved, the poison would eventually secure the
kill. Thus, although both methods required high-level skills, the poisoning strategy
stands out as the more consistently effective approach for the San people, reflecting
their deep ecological knowledge and refined hunting expertise (Seroto et al. 2020).
OR
Among the various hunting methods used by the San people, the poisoned arrow
technique stands out as the most effective, particularly in the context of their
environment, technological constraints, and survival strategies. While bows and
arrows were a crucial part of their toolkit, it was the poisoning of the arrows that
maximised the effectiveness of their hunts and improved their chances of survival.
