Emily Chan
From a young age, you were probably taught in school that men took up hunting while women were given the chore of gathering during prehistoric times.
And for decades, scientists were convinced that this was the case—early humans living in foraging societies had a clear division of labor.
However, new research has shattered the long-held belief that only men were hunters and women were strictly gatherers. It turns out that women were just as involved with hunting as men were.
For one, there were just not enough people around to assign specific tasks to certain genders. Whenever something needed to be done, someone would do it, no matter the nature of the task.
According to the American Anthropological Association, females are better equipped for endurance activities, such as running.
Men may come out on top when it comes to strength and speed, but women have more staying power, which is crucial for chasing down animals.
The higher levels of estrogen and adiponectin found in the female body helps delay fatigue by burning fat and glucose, which are key fuels during endurance activities. Adiponectin also protects muscles from breaking down.
Furthermore, women have wider hips, allowing them to take wider strides. Their larger steps helped them travel longer distances faster while expending the least amount of energy possible. Overall, prehistoric women’s physiology provided them with the ability to hunt more efficiently and give chase for longer.
Even if the findings of the new study aren’t taken into consideration, other evidence points to women being hunters.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
