Jobs for the Neolithic girls ‘not sexism’

ANCIENT tools found in graves across Europe suggest women and men performed specific gender-based tasks in farming societies about 5,000 years ago, according to scientists.

An analysis of 400 stone objects from the Neolithic period showed that tools found in females’ graves were most likely used for the working of animal skins and hide. Meanwhile, objects found in men’s graves were associated with hunting, woodwork, butchery and potential conflict.

However, scientists point out this division of labour based on biological sex is not a sign of gender inequality.

Dr Penny Bickle, from the University of York’s department of archaeology, said: “The gendered roles, far from being a sign of early gender inequalities, actually shows how dynamic farming societies were and how aware they were of the different skills of members of their community.”

The findings were published in the journal Plos One.