Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Anthropology

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)

2. An ancester of mine in the 1800s had two sons.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Jan 12, 2018, 02:36 AM

Jan 2018

One died in infancy, the other lived to be 91. So the average lifespan of the two was just over 45 years.

That does not mean people routinely dropped dead at age 45.

Why don't people understand that? Infant mortality, the Civil War, WWI, all skewed the "average lifespan" to the young end of the spectrum. But surviving into adulthood often meant living to a ripe old age.

Even in ancient Rome men who survived childhood and military service lived into their 80s and 90s.

Click here to purchase valentine hearts!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

New Research Dispels the Myth That Ancient Cultures Had Universally Short Lifespans [View all] Judi Lynn Jan 2018 OP

This has actually been known for a long time. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2018 #1

An ancester of mine in the 1800s had two sons. Binkie The Clown Jan 2018 #2