Cultural Practices and Environmental Stress Shaped Height Differences in Early Neolithic Europe

A study published in Nature Human Behaviour suggests that height differences between male and female individuals during the Early Neolithic in northern Europe were influenced by cultural factors rather than genetics and diet alone. The research analyzed data from 1,535 Neolithic individuals and found that in North Central Europe, despite having identical genetic scores, females had lower stature, indicating a cultural preference for supporting male recovery from environmental stress. In Mediterranean populations, the sex difference in height was reduced, suggesting a lack of cultural preference for protecting males from environmental stress impacts. The study highlights the role of cultural and environmental factors in driving sex differences in stature throughout history.