Prehistory was not as we were told: grandmothers and gossipers saved humanity

Anthropological insights reveal that seemingly trivial customs, like gossip and communal gatherings, were crucial for human survival. Virginia Mendoza's book highlights how social interactions, such as those around campfires, fostered connections and alliances essential for community cohesion. The 'grandmother hypothesis' suggests that older women played a vital role in nurturing and supporting families, contributing to human longevity. Modern parallels are drawn with social media, which satisfies our innate curiosity about others. Despite contemporary misconceptions about prehistoric diets, the reality was more complex, shaped by environmental factors rather than a singular 'Paleolithic diet'.