In today’s rapidly advancing world, where modern medicine and dietary practices are often hailed as the pillars of our ever-increasing life expectancy, a common narrative suggests that our ancestors lived brutishly short lives, with the ancient human life expectancy frequently cited as being around 20 to 40 years. This narrative, however, is not entirely accurate and warrants a deeper investigation into what life expectancy truly meant in ancient times versus what it means today.
1. Understanding Life Expectancy: A Tale of Two Ages
The concept of ancient human life expectancy is often misunderstood, largely due to the manner in which it is calculated. When we say the life expectancy in ancient times was between 20 to 40 years, we are referring to an average skewed by the high rates of infant and child mortality. The harsh realities of ancient life—diseases, lack of sanitation, and minimal medical knowledge—meant that many children did not survive past their early years. However, for those who did, the prospects of living into what we today consider middle age or even old age were not as grim as the average numbers suggest.
Studies of ancient burial sites and historical records reveal a significant number of individuals who reached their 50s, 60s, or older, indicating that once the perilous hurdle of childhood was cleared, living to a more advanced age was indeed possible, albeit still challenging due to ongoing health risks.
2. The Impact of Modern Advances on Life Expectancy
In contrast, the modern era has seen a dramatic increase in the average life expectancy at birth, thanks to improvements in sanitation, healthcare, and nutrition. These advancements have ensured that most children survive beyond infancy, significantly raising the overall average. Moreover, the development of medical science has enabled many to live well into their later years, with life spans extending into the 70s, 80s, and beyond.
Yet, this comparison between ancient and modern life expectancies raises an important question: Are we truly living longer, healthier lives, or have we simply become better at surviving the early years?
3. Rethinking Our Approach to Health and Longevity
The narrative that modern diets and medicine are solely responsible for our extended lifespans overlooks the importance of understanding life expectancy through the lens of surviving infancy. It also fails to account for the quality of life and health enjoyed by our ancestors who made it past childhood. Their diets, predominantly based on natural and unprocessed foods such as meats, fruits, honey, and raw dairy products, were devoid of the artificial sugars and processed foods that plague modern diets.
This reflection on ancient dietary practices and their implications for health suggests that perhaps our ancestors, in their adherence to a natural diet, possessed wisdom that modern societies have strayed from. The emphasis on consuming organic, unprocessed foods, avoiding seed oils in favor of organic butter for cooking, and prioritizing spring water or water that has undergone reverse osmosis, mirrors the ancestral approach to nutrition and health.
In conclusion, while it is undeniable that modern medicine and dietary improvements have contributed to our ability to survive and potentially thrive, the notion that ancient human life expectancy was universally short is a misconception. By examining the data with a nuanced perspective—acknowledging the significant role that surviving past childhood plays in the calculation of life expectancy—we can gain a deeper understanding of how our ancestors lived. Moreover, revisiting their natural dietary practices offers valuable insights into achieving optimal health, underscoring the importance of integrating the wisdom of the past with the advancements of the present. Read this blog here about how diet can improve longevity.