Stone tools were found in the graves of Neolithic farmers, and a study suggests that these grave goods reveal gendered roles among men and women at that time.
The study, entitled "A sexual division of labor at the start of agriculture? A multi-proxy comparison through grave good stone tool technological and use-wear analysis" published in PLOS One, showed that Neolithic farmers had different jobs based on their biological sex.
Researchers from the University of York analyzed the 400 stone tools dated back 5,000 years ago when farming was only starting and found that men took on hunting and butchery while women were responsible for leatherwork.
"The different roles of men and women were a crucial part of the transition to farming in human societies," study author Dr. Penny Bickle said.
Gender Roles During the Neolithic Period
Archaeologists thought that during the Neolithic era when farming was just beginning, polished stone tools were used for woodwork. However, the analysis by researchers from the University of York has proven that it was used in a much wider range of tasks.
More so, the press release from the University of York reported that these stone tools were specially designed for specific tasks for men and women. The analysis of stone tools found in the graves has confirmed the gender roles during that time.
Stone tools found in women's graves were most likely used for working animal skins and hide, which suggests that they are tasked with leatherwork. Meanwhile, the tools found in men's graves were associated with hunting, woodwork, and potential conflict.
The researchers said that their analysis showed the different roles of men and women and that the latter played a crucial part in the transition to farming in human civilization contrary to previous beliefs.
Not a Sign of Gender Inequality in Neolithic Era
The team said that the division of labor among the Neolithic farmers based on their biological sex is not a sign of gender inequality in the Neolithic Era, MailOnline reported.
Dr. Bickle emphasized that gendered roles in society showed how dynamic early farming societies were and how they are aware of the skills of the members of their community. Women's task at that time was hard but also complimented the work of men as equal contributions of their community.
Although often women's roles in the Neolithic era are downplayed this analysis showed the significant active role women play and their contributions to their community.
"The fact that you see these objects in the graves of men and women demonstrates how marked out and valued they were for these jobs," Dr. Bickle said.
The team also found that geographic variations may have influenced gender-based labor division as agricultural practices. According to EurekAlert! women moved around more than men in eastern areas, but regardless of their sex both men and women carry ornaments and jewelry in their graves. Meanwhile, in the west, men moved around more than women and had tools for hunting.
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