It's believed that the role of feasts in the Ice Age was to?
um, eat?
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ancient_History/Human_Evolution/Neolithic_Age#Feasting
To understand the role of feasts in the Ice Age, we can look at archaeological evidence and make inferences from it. During the Ice Age, which occurred approximately 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, humans were hunter-gatherers, primarily reliant on hunting animals and gathering plant-based foods for their survival. Feasts played a significant role in the social and cultural lives of these early human societies.
One way to explore the role of feasts in the Ice Age is to analyze the remains of animal bones found at ancient human settlements. By studying the patterns of butchery and consumption, archaeologists can deduce information about feasting practices. Large quantities of animal remains with signs of intentional butchery, such as cut marks or breakage for marrow extraction, can indicate communal feasting events where animals were shared and consumed by a group.
Feasts in the Ice Age likely served several functions. Firstly, they provided an opportunity for social bonding and strengthening of group cohesion. Sharing food in a communal setting fosters social relationships and promotes community unity.
Secondly, feasts may have had a significant ceremonial or symbolic significance. They could have been organized to mark important events, such as successful hunts, seasonal transitions, or rites of passage. Feasting might have been a way to express gratitude towards the spirits or deities believed to influence their survival and ensure future success.
Thirdly, feasts may have had a practical purpose of resource distribution and storage. In the Ice Age, when food sources were seasonal and unpredictable, feasting allowed for the efficient utilization and preservation of surplus food. By consuming perishable food items before they spoiled, early humans could avoid wastage and maximize the nutritional value of their resources.
In summary, feasts in the Ice Age played a vital role in encouraging social cohesion, expressing cultural beliefs, and efficiently utilizing food resources. To gain a deeper understanding of the specific role of feasts, researchers analyze archaeological remains, such as bones and artifacts, to decipher the patterns and context of ancient feasting practices.