What archaeological evidence shows that Pleistocene humans hunted large animals?

Archaeological evidence confirms that humans during the Pleistocene Epoch actively hunted large animals, often referred to as megafauna. This evidence includes several key findings:123

• Embedded Projectile Points: Rare but definitive discoveries show stone points embedded directly within the skeletons of large animals, such as mammoths and giant bison (Bison antiquus).41
• Kill Sites: Sites like those associated with the Clovis culture in North America frequently contain the remains of megafauna alongside stone tools, such as lanceolate projectile points and side scrapers used for processing meat and hides.1
• Faunal Remains in Campsites: Excavations at various locations have uncovered kitchen debris consisting of large animal bones, indicating that these creatures were a critical food source.45
• Structural Use of Remains: In regions like Siberia, archaeologists have identified tent circles constructed from the jaws and tusks of woolly mammoths, demonstrating that humans utilized these animals for both food and shelter.4

While these findings prove that hunting occurred, modern research emphasizes that these groups were often generalized hunter-gatherers who also relied on a variety of smaller animals and plant resources.2