The Influence of Cultural Practices on Height Differences in Neolithic Europe

A new study published in Nature Human Behavior reveals that height differences between men and women in Neolithic Europe were strongly influenced by cultural and environmental factors. Researchers analyzed skeletal remains from the Early Neolithic Period and found that women in North Central Europe experienced high environmental stress but did not reach the same height as men, suggesting cultural preferences that favored men's recovery time. In contrast, the height differences between sexes in the Mediterranean population were less pronounced, indicating a more equal distribution of rest and recovery time. The study highlights the importance of culture in shaping physical development and calls for further research to explore the interactive impact of genetics, environment, and culture on human biology.