# The Good, the Bad and the Hungry: Using Agent-Based Models to Predict Hominin Movement and Survival

Reschke Jan-Olaf, Carolina Cucart-Mora, Kamilla Laustsen Lomborg, Harry Hall, Hall Harry, Harry Hall, Mehdi Saqalli, Matt Grove, Christine Hertler, Marie-Hélène Moncel

► To cite this version:

Reschke Jan-Olaf, Carolina Cucart-Mora, Kamilla Laustsen Lomborg, Harry Hall, Hall Harry, et al.. The Good, the Bad and the Hungry: Using Agent-Based Models to Predict Hominin Movement and Survival. European Association of Archeologists., EAA book of abstracts-Congress août 2024. Roma, Italie.; Session "MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS OF LATE EARLY PLEISTOCENE AND MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE EUROPE", Aug 2024, Rome, Italy. pp.124 - 132, 10.1002/evan.21485. hal-05332714

HAL Id: hal-05332714

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Submitted on 15 Dec 2025

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# The Good, the Bad and the Hungry:

## Using Agent-Based Models to Predict Hominin Movement and Survival

30TH EAA ANNUAL MEETING ROMA 2024

jan.olafreschke_ext@mnhn.fr
# Hominin survival in Europe

## Open Questions

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## Environmental dynamics

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Leroy, S. A. G., Arpe, K., & Mikolajewicz, U. (2011). Vegetation context and climatic limits of the early pleistocene hominin dispersal in Europe. *Quaternary Science Reviews*, 30(11–12), 1448–1463.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.01.017
# Surviving in northern latitudes?

## Survive in all environments

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

Hitchcock, R. K. (2019). Hunters and gatherers past and present: Perspectives on Diversity, teaching, and information transmission. *Reviews in Anthropology*, 48(1), 5–37.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00938157.2019.1578025

## Adapt to available resources

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>

Marlowe, F. W. (2005). Hunter-gatherers and human evolution. *Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews*, 14(2), 54–67.
https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.20046
Determining chance of survival

Mobility

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Kelly, R. L. (1983). Hunter-Gatherer Mobility Strategies. Journal of Anthropological Research, 39(3), 277-306. https://doi.org/10.1086/jar.39.3.3629672

Hunter-gatherer population structure

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /></figure>

Hamilton, M. J., Lobo, J., Rupley, E., Youn, H., & West, G. B. (2016). The ecological and evolutionary energetics of Hunter-Gatherer Residential Mobility. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 25(3), 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.21485
# Introduction into ForeGatherer 2.0

## ForeGatherer 2.0

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

## Early Pleistocene *Homo*

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Sci-news.com / Archaic hominins. Image credit: Ninara / CC BY 2.0.

## Hunter?

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Dennell, R. (2007). "Resource-rich, stone-poor": Early hominin land use in large river systems of northern India and Pakistan. In: Petraglia, M.D., Allchin, B. (eds) The Evolution and History of Human Populations in South Asia. Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5562-5_3
ForeGatherer 2.0

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>Potential Hunting strategies</figcaption></figure>

Smithsonian Human Origins Program/Karen Carr

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>Prey</figcaption></figure>

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Implemented Strategies

Catching

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Safe & Fast

Scavenging

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Luck & Cooperation

Persistent

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"Simple" & Takes long

Intercept

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Tools & Patience

Encounter

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Skills & Tools

Tactical

<figure><img src="image_19.png" /></figure>

Preparation & Cooperation
# Simulating an Environment in ForeGatherer 2.0

<figure><img src="image_20.png" /><figcaption>Plant availability</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_21.png" /></figure>

Seasonal

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Aseasonal

<figure><img src="image_23.png" /><figcaption>Prey Species</figcaption></figure>

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<table><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Weight (kg)</th><th>Herd size</th><th>Ind/km²</th><th>Habitat</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td></tr><tr><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td></tr></tbody></table>
Results

<figure><img src="image_25.png" /><figcaption>Residential moves per year</figcaption></figure>

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# Adapting to early Pleistocene Europe

## New Area

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## New Environment

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3. Implementations

Adapt ABM and perform Case studies

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Test regions during Glacial/Interglacial

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Test Behavioral Scenarios

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# Anticipated results

<figure><img src="image_32.png" /><figcaption>Identify conditions</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_33.png" /><figcaption>Effect of human behavior</figcaption></figure>

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Thank you very much!

# The Good, the Bad and the Hungry:
Using Agent-Based Models to Predict Hominin Movement and Survival

30TH EAA ANNUAL MEETING ROMA 2024

jan.olafreschke_ext@mnhn.fr

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Quaternary Environments and Humans

Volume 2, Issue 1, October 2024, 300019

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Early hominins: Successful hunters, catchers, or scavengers? An agent-based model about hunting strategies in tropical grasslands

Jan-Olaf Reschke **, R. B. Susanna Krüger **, Christine Herlert **

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LATEUROPE

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erc
European Research Council
Erasmus via the European Commission

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cnrs

MUSÉUM
NAHIST
NATURELLE

HN
HP

GOETHE

UNIVERSITÄT
FRANKFURT AM MAIN

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SENCKENBERG
world of biodiversity

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HEIDELBERGER AKADEMIE
DER WISSENSCHAFTEN

Akademie der Wissenschaften
des Landes Baden-Württemberg

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THE ROLE
OF CULTURE
IN EARLY
EXPANSIONS
OF HUMANS