Ah yes, this is the myth that states that before civilization, man lives
a terrible, hard life, hunted by wild animals, living in fear for his
next day.  I contend that it is utterly false.  Humans have very few
natural predators.  In ancient Africa, food was plentiful and life was
most likely much less work than it is today, when we seem to have to
pull more and more hours to earn a paycheck, to pay for this same food.
  When our efficiency only earns us more work to do.  The few remaining
great apes that live in their natural habitats do not seem to live a
tough, threatened life.  They seem to have it pretty easy, in fact, when
they manage to keep us at bay.  I don't believe it was any different for
prehistoric man.