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> they had a life expectancy of like 20 years This just meant that a LOT of kids died, not that most adults didn't live very long.
by melissalobos 4y ago
> they had a life expectancy of like 20 years
This just meant that a LOT of kids died, not that most adults didn't live very long.
- toomanydoubts 4y agoThat is something apparently so obvious, but I was pretty surprised when I first read it. Honestly grew up thinking everyone died at 30 in the past.
- melissalobos 4y agoI think that is part of the issue with communicating bulk statistics like life expectancy. In reality the median or mean after 15 or after 30 is likely more useful as a measure.
- throwaway892238 4y agoThe other weird thing is how skewed it was by sex. Men might have a life expectancy of 50 while for women it was 30.
- aaronbrethorst 4y agoDeath during childbirth.
- stjohnswarts 4y agoObviously child birth was risky but so was being a man running around hunting and fighting other men, I bet the chances were about the same. Neither of us have any sources though I'm willing to bet.
- stjohnswarts 4y agoYeah same, but if you made it to 18 your chances of making it to 50 or 60 were pretty good compared when you just popped outta ya mother.