For the "I, Caveman" experiment, 10 people (six men and four women) attempted to live as Stone Age hunter-gatherers in this bucolic setting in northwestern Colorado for 10 days. Just prior to the 10-day experiment, the brave participants were trained for two days in how to make/use basic Paleolithic technology including tool making, fire starting, and how to forage and hunt for food.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Participants created their initial shelter out of animal skins and branches, reminiscent of European Upper Paleolithic dwellings.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
A second shelter was constructed of pine boughs.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Pine boughs were used to line the floor of the initial animal skin shelter.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Lara, one of the four female "I, Caveman" participants, forages for food. Participants were given traditional, primitive clothing and boots made from fur and animal skins.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Morgan (Spurlock -- of "Super Size Me" fame), Billy and Rob -- three of the six male participants in the "I, Caveman" experiment -- adhered to a Paleolithic diet of vegetables, roots, nuts, fruits, meat and fish during their 10-day caveman experience. To do so, they had to hunt and forage for safe foods to eat.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
In this photo, Morgan (Spurlock) is holding an upper Paleolithic spear.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
The cooking hearth used during the initial encampment of the "I,Caveman" experiment.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Morgan (Spurlock) in front of the pine bough shelter in the second encampment area.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Participants fashioned their own tools for hunting, including this arrowhead.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
In addition to arrowheads, participants also created spear points.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
After 10 days of living in the wild, the "I, Caveman" participants were happy to return to civilization.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
So far so good for this "caveman," as he gets measured for his resting metabolic rate. He lived for 10 days like a caveman while participating in the "I, Caveman" experiment, doing things like foraging for his food.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Another participant in the "I, Caveman" study reclines as his caloric intake needs are measured by his resting metabolism.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Participant cavepeople had to check in to portable stations like this area to get their health indicators measured.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Health measurement gear used to test the cavepeople included a bioimpedance scale to measure weight and body fat as well a portable unit to analyze cholesterol, glucose and hemoglobin.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Amy, a "cavewoman," takes in her first modern-day meal after the experience.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Participant Amy, in full paleolithic garb, right before her final health indicator measurements were taken at the completion of her stint living like a cavewoman.
Read more about the I, Caveman experiment.
Image Credit: William Leonard, Northwestern University
Comments ( )