Abstract
The occurrence of polygynous marriage in hunter–gatherer societies, which do not accumulate wealth, remains largely unexplored since resource availability is dependent on male hunting capacity and limited by the lack of storage. Hunter–gatherer societies offer the greatest insight in to human evolution since they represent the majority of our species' evolutionary history. In order to elucidate the evolution of hunter–gatherer polygyny, we study marriage patterns of BaYaka Pygmies. We investigate (i) rates of polygyny among BaYaka hunter–gatherers; (ii) whether polygyny confers a fitness benefit to BaYaka men; (iii) in the absence of wealth inequalities, what are the alternative explanations for polygyny among the BaYaka. To understand the latter, we explore differences in phenotypic quality (height and strength), and social capital (popularity in gift games). We find polygynous men have increased reproductive fitness; and that social capital and popularity but not phenotypic quality might have been important mechanisms by which some male hunter–gatherers sustained polygynous marriages before the onset of agriculture and wealth accumulation.
Highlights
Before the advent of agriculture 12 000 years ago, humans lived as hunter–gatherers—this subsistence mode occupies more than 90% of our species’ evolutionary history [1]
We explore other possible mechanisms that could facilitate the achievement of polygyny by a few hunter–gatherer men through examination of marriage practices of the BaYaka Pygmies
We investigate whether polygynous BaYaka men differ in quality from their non-polygynous counterparts across two dimensions—phenotypic quality measured by physical attributes of height and hand-grip strength, and social capital quality determined by economic gift games
Summary
Before the advent of agriculture 12 000 years ago, humans lived as hunter–gatherers—this subsistence mode occupies more than 90% of our species’ evolutionary history [1]. Throughout this period, humans lived in foraging societies characterized by high mobility. Given the relative modernity of the Neolithic 2 transition, deciphering the social structure and selective pressures experienced by hunter–gatherers is invaluable in understanding the suite of evolutionary adaptations possessed by humans today. Combined evidence from extant hunter–gatherers, phylogenetic reconstruction and archaeological remains suggests a predominantly monogamous/serially monogamous system in human origins, with polygyny potentially being prevalent at low levels [7,8,9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
