> doesn't "numbers were kept in check" mean "surplus people starved Not so obviously. Would you argue this for (say) lions or eagles? Few adults starve, when t

> doesn't "numbers were kept in check" mean "surplus people starved Not so obviously. Would you argue this for (say) lions or eagles? Few adults starve, when times are lean there is less breeding, and fewer kids who survive, compared to times of plenty. Whereas the collapse of an early agricultural society (perhaps due to pests, or just no rain) probably did result in lots of adults starving, if there were more of them than could be supported on gathered food.