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As a young child, Cara Ocobock often pondered the common portrayals of prehistoric life found in movies, books, and art—depicting men as hunters wielding spears and women as gatherers with babies on their backs and baskets of seeds. These images were deeply ingrained, shaping the exhibits in natural history museums.
Years later, Ocobock, now an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame, delved into anthropology and human biology. Her discoveries challenged these established notions. Her recent studies, co-authored with Sarah Lacy of the University of Delaware, simultaneously published in the journal American Anthropologist, revealed a different narrative. They uncovered evidence suggesting that prehistoric women were not merely gatherers but likely engaged in hunting, debunking the belief that males were inherently superior in early human evolution.
Their research, detailed in Scientific American, aimed not to rewrite history but to rectify the erasure of women from it. Ocobock emphasized that their studies sought to correct historical inaccuracies rather than revise established narratives.
One aspect of their findings focused on female physiology. Ocobock explained that women’s bodies, owing to higher levels of estrogen and adiponectin, were better suited for endurance activities like hunting. Estrogen facilitated fat metabolism, providing sustained energy and delaying fatigue during prolonged hunts. Adiponectin aided in preserving muscle integrity, crucial for endurance over long distances.
Moreover, the anatomical structure of females, particularly their wider hips, allowed for more efficient movement. This adaptation enabled longer, metabolically economical strides—comparable to marathon runners versus powerlifters.
Archaeological evidence further supported their conclusions. Injuries found in both male and female prehistoric remains indicated shared participation in close-contact hunting, challenging the notion of hunting as an exclusively male activity. Instances of buried female hunters with their weapons in Peru reinforced the idea that hunting was integral to both genders.
Ocobock emphasized that prehistoric women likely didn’t abandon hunting even during phases of pregnancy or childcare, suggesting a lack of strict gender-based labor divisions. In survival-driven societies, everyone contributed to hunting and gathering, necessitating a generalist approach for survival.
Highlighting the importance of these revelations, Ocobock stressed the need to combat entrenched biases regarding female physical abilities. She urged a reevaluation of assumptions about past societies, cautioning against modern biases clouding interpretations of historical evidence. Ultimately, she advocated for a more nuanced understanding of human capabilities beyond gender-based stereotypes.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Notre Dame. Original written by Tracy DeStazio.
