There exists a pervasive cultural belief that human societies have always been dominated by men, characterized by strict hierarchies. Conventional wisdom suggests that prehistoric hunters were responsible for providing for their families and protecting them from dangers, thus implying a historical norm of male leadership. However, this narrative is fundamentally flawed.

Many have been raised to think that early human existence mirrored contemporary life, simply lacking modern conveniences. This perspective is a product of patriarchal ideology that seeks to validate itself by portraying its dominance as eternal and unavoidable. Contrary to this belief, recent findings in archaeology, anthropology, and related sciences reveal that male dominance and social hierarchies are relatively recent developments, emerging only in the last 6,000 to 9,000 years.

It’s crucial to clarify that while patriarchy denotes a historical power imbalance between genders, it also encompasses a broader social stratification that was absent prior to this shift. Before 6,000 to 9,000 years ago, most human communities operated without leaders and maintained egalitarian structures. Although gender roles existed, they were not rigidly enforced. In many current hunter-gatherer societies, for instance, women can hunt if they choose, and men can gather or care for children.

The !Kung people of the Kalahari Desert exemplify this sexual equality within a nomadic framework. While men typically hunt and women usually gather, these roles are not strictly defined, and both genders share responsibilities in child-rearing and food management. This egalitarianism is supported by archaeological evidence, including findings by Randall Haas and his colleagues, who suggest that female big-game hunters were prevalent in ancient Americas.

Discovering that early human societies were largely egalitarian often surprises many, yet the evidence is compelling enough for most to accept it. However, some react defensively when confronted with the idea that their long-held beliefs may be incorrect. For those open to the truth, it is essential to examine these findings in detail.

To revisit the initial misconceptions, it’s important to note that for many Paleolithic tribes, meat constituted a minor part of their diet, and gatherers provided the majority of sustenance, similar to practices observed in some present-day tribes. The concept of a male provider in a nuclear family is relatively new, emerging with the advent of plowed agriculture and intensifying during the Industrial Revolution. Before these changes, both men and women played crucial roles in their communities, where survival depended on mutual support.

As sociologist Rae Blumber notes, few study the deep history before the rise of agrarian societies, leading to widespread ignorance regarding the significance of women as primary contributors in most of human history.

Çatalhöyük, a large proto-agricultural settlement in the Fertile Crescent from around 7100 BCE to 5700 BCE, serves as a testament to peaceful and egalitarian living conditions. The inhabitants lived cooperatively without defensive structures or weaponry, suggesting that warfare was not a common aspect of their existence.

The survival strategies of early humans relied on cooperation and enforced egalitarianism, aided by low population densities and abundant natural resources. The absence of warfare and mass killings prior to approximately 8,000 years ago further supports this view.

These egalitarian dynamics were strategic rather than altruistic. Individuals who attempted to assert dominance were often marginalized, indicating that ancient hunter-gatherer societies valued cooperation over competition.

The peaceful nature of larger proto-agricultural settlements like Çatalhöyük, studied extensively over the past six decades, illustrates that such cultures were not isolated cases but representative of an earlier, more cooperative world. This changed dramatically with increased population densities and the advent of agriculture, which led to both social and gender hierarchies.

As agriculture took hold, labor roles became more gendered, with men primarily engaging in fieldwork while women were relegated to domestic duties. This shift diminished women's roles as primary providers, leading to their status as secondary citizens. The emergence of a surplus of food necessitated a division of labor, establishing new societal roles that contributed to social inequality.

The consequences of this division of labor were stark; health outcomes deteriorated for the majority compared to their hunter-gatherer ancestors, while elites enjoyed better living conditions. The patriarchal structures that followed centuries of egalitarianism marked a significant shift in human society.

Cultural anthropologist Raymond C. Kelly suggests that early human societies maintained low population densities to avoid conflict, promoting cooperation. In these group-oriented societies, the concept of nuclear families was less relevant, as human offspring required communal support for survival.

In summary, life before the rise of patriarchy was characterized by:

• Cooperative living arrangements rather than male-headed nuclear families.
• Gender equality and the absence of sexual control over women.
• Socially enforced egalitarianism to reduce aggression and promote cooperation.
• Low population densities with abundant resources and limited personal possessions.
• High costs associated with engaging in violence.
• Lack of social stratification and permanent leadership.

Current scientific evidence contradicts the traditional view of an ancient nuclear family dynamic. Various fields, including archaeology, psychology, and anthropology, reveal a different narrative—one that began to shift only 6,000 to 9,000 years ago with the introduction of agriculture and incursions from aggressive groups.

Patriarchy proliferated due to its destabilizing nature, as the introduction of social hierarchies led to tensions and migrations in search of resources. Even figures like Steve Bannon have acknowledged the relatively recent emergence of patriarchy, suggesting that movements like #MeToo could challenge millennia of societal norms.

While agriculture enabled the development of civilization, it simultaneously established enduring social inequalities. The fleeting nature of patriarchy, given its recent emergence, offers hope for a return to greater egalitarianism. Understanding that patriarchy is not an immutable reality is a vital first step toward nurturing a more equitable society.

© Copyright Elle Beau 2021 Elle Beau writes on Medium about sex, life, relationships, society, anthropology, spirituality, and love. If this story is appearing anywhere other than Medium.com, it appears without my consent and has been stolen.