Analysis of mounting archaeological evidence from across human history and prehistory is challenging the widespread belief that men exclusively hunt and women exclusively gather.

Analysis of data from dozens of foraging societies around the world shows that women hunt in at least 79% of these societies, opposing long-held perceptions about gender roles in foraging societies.

Gender stereotypes have influenced previous archaeological studies, with, for instance, some researchers reluctant to interpret objects buried with women as hunting tools.

There is a call for reevaluation of such evidence and caution against misapplying the idea of men as hunters and women as gatherers in future research.

  • I fucking knew it. People have this idea that human roles are defined by biology. No, they are defined by competition. When we compete against the environment, being 20% weaker or smaller doesn’t matter; you can throw a spear just as fine as the biggest person. When we compete against each other, being 1% stronger is a gigantic, monumental advantage.

    This nonsense about gender roles is from lampooning nobility post-enlightenment. Us peasants have always just did what needed to be done.