New evidence suggests women hunted alongside men in early societies

New peer-reviewed research is challenging the popular belief that men were the hunters and women were the gatherers in ancient times.

In recent months, scientists from Notre Dame and the University of Delaware conducted a review of existing archaeological evidence on the division of labor in societies during the Paleolithic era, a period between 2.5 million and 12,000 years ago. They discovered the skeletal remains of Neanderthals and other early human relatives showed no difference in trauma patterns between men and women, indicating both genders participated in the same activities throughout their lives.

🤔 What about biological differences?... The scientists found current research indicates men (generally speaking) have an advantage in activities requiring speed and power, such as sprinting and throwing – but women are better suited metabolically for endurance activities like long-distance running, largely due to higher levels of estrogen.

• And since both sets of activities were essential to hunting in ancient times, the study concluded women likely played an important role in hunting alongside men in early human societies.

There are also more recent examples. A June peer-reviewed study examining the practices of foraging societies across the globe over the past century found 79% of such cultures feature women hunters, who participate regardless of their child-bearing status.