[求助]介词短语并列问题，语法NN请进

The new image of Stone Age people as
systematic hunters of large animals, rather than as mere scavengers of meat, has
emerged from the examination of tools found in Germany, including three wooden
spears that archaeologists believe to be about 400,000 years old.

I think it can be omitted in "rather than" structure.

There is also another example from OG,

... the doctors have elected to retire rather than (to) face lawsuits...