http://beta.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/nov/07/lethal-weapons-early-humans-neanderthals
The development of the technology allowed early humans to attack wild animals or human foes from a greater distance and with more devastating effect. "People who possess light armaments that can be thrown long distances have immediate advantages in hunting prey and killing competitors," Curtis Marean, project director at Arizona State University, told the Guardian.
The problem of the disparity of force is as old as the species. It exists today. Most of us don't have to deal with it today because we enjoy the security of wealth. Some of us still have to face that reality. And the problem is still the same. How do we defend ourselves, or conquer in competition for resources, a larger, stronger and more robust opponent?
Back then this was the solution:
Now it's this: