Two early morning thoughts
This might also help explain the lack of plant art, as gathering berries and plants was women's work in many early societies.
The idea that stone age societies were matriarchies is not new and nowadays is somewhat discredited, and I am sure the idea of polyandry must have been suggested too, but I don't have the time to check.
Perhaps one of you knows the answer.
Now get down on your knees and pray.
One reason for having a large family in the modern world is religious belief. Some religions discourage contraception and most are against abortion of any kind.
So does religious belief give a competitive advantage when it comes to passing on one's selfish genes in the 21st.Century?
If it does then we should expect the behaviour to increase. Could it also become 'hard wired' into our system like the complex displays of Birds of Paradise?
The current resurgence of atheism is a tiny blip in world society and only evident in the West. Religion has regrown in both Russia and China.
So there will at some point in the future - perhaps as in the past - a tipping point where religion becomes a part of us, a perceived reality.
I call this the Theongularity.
Some of you may see a reference to The Singularity in the name.
You would be right.
As usual I could right a book on either of these two ideas but have no time.
I have a suitcase to pack and a warm hat to find.
And I still have not said anything about cringing. I have to say reader response on that topic has been rather disappointing so far.