[stygianguest]

Also interesting is their assertion that society first changes very quickly after the introduction of the plow, but then has very long lasting effects. Why did the first change quickly but the second have long lasting effects?

[hackinthebochs]

I don't understand your critique. Can you explain it more?

[stygianguest]

First they find support for the hypothesis that the place of women in society can change very quickly because their function in society changes.

Then they find support for the opposing hypothesis that such changes in society have long lasting effects, i.e., that the position of women in society does not change quickly.

Finally they place both opposing hypotheses in a single narrative.

To me, this is a major inconsistency, perhaps only due to the journalist rather than the scientists. Both hypotheses should be discarded since neither fits all the observations.

[voxfrege]

That, exactly, was my thought also.