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> overturning previous assumptions that competition and conflict were absent in hunter–gatherer societies

just a question - could it be that these forts provided defence against wild life? I think mammoth, woolly rhinos, bisons, aurochs, and some big extinct deers may have still been there. As well as siberian tigers, bears, wolves, etc

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That is a good point. Native Americans prepared for war to kill a brown bear. Not an easy beast to kill even with a rifle. Having some protection from a predator just roaming in and eating people is a good idea.

Roaming predators isn't something most people today even consider. Our predecessors had already killed them all. On the other hand, other humans are far more dangerous than furry carnivores.

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