Unearthing the Truth: Women as Prehistoric Hunters

Research by University of Delaware anthropology professor Sarah Lacy challenges the widely accepted notion that men were hunters and women were gatherers in prehistoric times. Lacy and her colleague Cara Ocobock found little evidence to support the idea of specific gender roles during the Paleolithic era, and they argue that women were not only physically capable of hunting but also likely participated in hunting activities. The researchers highlight examples of equality in ancient tools, diet, art, burials, and anatomy, and they emphasize the role of estrogen in conferring advantages to women in activities requiring endurance. The study aims to shift the default approach in research to acknowledge the division of labor among both sexes in prehistoric societies.