The study presents glaciological estimates of ice-shelf melting around Antarctica, revealing that basal melting accounts for the largest ablation process, with a rate of 1325 ± 235 gigatons per year, exceeding calving flux of 1089 ± 139 Gt/year. The Ross, Filchner, and Ronne ice shelves, covering two-thirds of the total ice-shelf area, account for only 15% of net melting, while 10 small, warm-cavity Southeast Pacific ice shelves contribute half of the meltwater. Six East Antarctic ice shelves also show high melt/area ratios, indicating strong ocean thermal forcing. The study uses data from Operation IceBridge and BEDMAP-2 to determine ice-shelf thickness and grounding lines, and InSAR data to calculate flow velocities. The results show that basal melting is strongest near grounding zones and along ice fronts, with significant variations in melt rates across different regions. The total ice-shelf meltwater production is 1325 ± 235 Gt/year, with the Amundsen Sea sector contributing 59% of the imbalance. The study also highlights the importance of ocean interactions in freshwater transfers between ice and ocean, and the need for continued observations to understand the temporal variability and evolution of Antarctic ice shelves. The findings suggest that basal melting is a larger fraction of Antarctic ice-shelf attrition than previously estimated, providing a baseline for future studies. Additionally, the study addresses the controversy regarding mobile forager band societies (MFBS) and warfare, finding that most lethal aggression events among MFBS are classified as homicides, with few as feuds or war. The results indicate that warfare is absent or rudimentarily developed in MFBS, challenging the notion that warfare evolved as a component of early human behavior within foraging band societies.The study presents glaciological estimates of ice-shelf melting around Antarctica, revealing that basal melting accounts for the largest ablation process, with a rate of 1325 ± 235 gigatons per year, exceeding calving flux of 1089 ± 139 Gt/year. The Ross, Filchner, and Ronne ice shelves, covering two-thirds of the total ice-shelf area, account for only 15% of net melting, while 10 small, warm-cavity Southeast Pacific ice shelves contribute half of the meltwater. Six East Antarctic ice shelves also show high melt/area ratios, indicating strong ocean thermal forcing. The study uses data from Operation IceBridge and BEDMAP-2 to determine ice-shelf thickness and grounding lines, and InSAR data to calculate flow velocities. The results show that basal melting is strongest near grounding zones and along ice fronts, with significant variations in melt rates across different regions. The total ice-shelf meltwater production is 1325 ± 235 Gt/year, with the Amundsen Sea sector contributing 59% of the imbalance. The study also highlights the importance of ocean interactions in freshwater transfers between ice and ocean, and the need for continued observations to understand the temporal variability and evolution of Antarctic ice shelves. The findings suggest that basal melting is a larger fraction of Antarctic ice-shelf attrition than previously estimated, providing a baseline for future studies. Additionally, the study addresses the controversy regarding mobile forager band societies (MFBS) and warfare, finding that most lethal aggression events among MFBS are classified as homicides, with few as feuds or war. The results indicate that warfare is absent or rudimentarily developed in MFBS, challenging the notion that warfare evolved as a component of early human behavior within foraging band societies.