Revealing the Truth: Prehistoric Women Were Skilled Hunters

University of Delaware anthropology professor Sarah Lacy challenges the traditional narrative that men were hunters and women were gatherers during prehistoric times. Lacy's research, published in Scientific American and American Anthropologist, found little evidence to support the idea that roles were assigned specifically to each sex. The study also examined female physiology and concluded that women were physically capable of hunting. The team highlighted the role of estrogen in conferring advantages to women in activities requiring endurance, which were essential to hunting. Lacy hopes her view that labor was divided among both sexes will become the default approach for future research.