Figure 23.13 Historic overharvest. By examining the bones of consumed animals found in archaeological excavations, researchers have determined that early humans in Italy initially consumed animals that were easy to catch, such as tortoises and shellfish. Once these animals became rare due to overharvesting, people turned to eating hares, partridges, and other species of mammals and birds.

Data from M. C. Stiner et al., Paleolithic population growth pulses evidenced by small animal exploitation, Science 283 (1999): 190–194.