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Image Credit: Alexandra Anders
Study Suggests Neolithic Gender Roles Were Structured but Flexible
New bioarchaeological research examining human remains and burial practices in Neolithic communities indicates that social roles for men and women were defined but not rigidly fixed.
The study analyzed skeletons from two closely located settlements in present-day Hungary, dating between roughly 5300 and 4650 BC. By comparing skeletal stress markers with burial treatment — including body position and grave goods — researchers explored how daily activities related to social identity.
Evidence from the bones shows clear patterns of labor division. Male individuals frequently display signs of repetitive one-arm strain, likely linked to tasks involving throwing or similar forceful motions. Female skeletons, meanwhile, often reflect intensive but more symmetrical upper-body work, suggesting different but equally demanding activities.
Despite these differences, the results also reveal flexibility. At one site, burial customs did not strongly distinguish between sexes even though daily activities differed. At the other, certain objects — especially polished stone tools — were commonly placed with male burials, aligning social symbolism with lived roles. Yet exceptions occurred, indicating individuals sometimes crossed expected roles.
The research also identified heavy physical workloads affecting both sexes in one community, showing that some tasks were shared rather than divided.
Overall, the findings suggest Neolithic societies organized labor partly by sex, but not according to strict categories. Instead, roles varied by community traditions, social values, and individual life histories. The study highlights how combining skeletal evidence with funerary archaeology can reveal the complexity of social organization in early farming societies.
Published on: 16-02-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: CNRS