Equality and polyamory: why early humans weren't The Flintstones

A study released last week presented evidence that prehistoric men and women lived in relative equality. But is the truth even further from the nuclear narrative?

Last week, scientists from University College London released a paper presenting evidence that men and women in early society lived in relative equality. The paper challenges much of our understanding of human history, a fact not lost on the scientists. Mark Dyble, the study's lead author, stated "sexual equality is one of the important changes that distinguishes humans. It hasn't really been highlighted before."

Despite Dyble's comments, however, this paper isn't the first foray into the issue. In fact, it represents another shot fired in a debate between scientific and anthropological communities that has been raging for centuries. It's a debate that asks some fundamental questions: who are we, and how did we become the society we are today?

Related: Early men and women were equal, say scientists

Related: Being polyamorous shows there's no 'traditional' way to live | Laurie Penny