You're probably right.
But as far as I know, the short average lifespans back in the days had mostly to do with higher child mortality.
But as far as I know, the short average lifespans back in the days had mostly to do with higher child mortality.
I also think it's tough to correctly estimate the impact of medicine on quality of life. A lot of things in medicine are so effective that we forget they exist (like correcting cleft palate or whatnot).
Excluding communicable diseases, most people stay fairly health until 50+ and many hunter gathers likely lived into there early 90's. Infection likely a major risk, but antibiotics are very recent and less necessary than frequently assumed.
I guess I'm not informed enough to start picking a number, but as far as I can tell, the life expectancy upon reaching adulthood has historically been notably lower than it is today, even prior to the horrors of civilization.
Measles, Smallpox, Typhus, and Cholera for example where all major and easily spread diseases.
The point is it's not as bad as you might think. Consider cavities, without refined sugar and massive quantities of grains there actually far less common.
That said, late stage hunter gathers where probably much worse off.
It's definitely not an argument in terms of looking to hunter gatherers for diet or fitness advice, though :)
Though as to disease it's not just population density. Domesticated animals mostly birds, pigs, and cattle for example created a larger pool to spread disease. Though diseases will spread from primates to humans with minimal contact.
PS: You could also have separate populations with minimal contact and have fewer diseases evolve. So, we could have high population density as long as people did not travel or keep animals.
But you are right, if you lived to 12 you'd likely live a pretty long life - the average was lower though.
my eye sight requires contact lenses, without i cannot survive.
there is a reason earth only had a minimal population at that time. the current billions of people are only possible through the modern marvels of medicine, agriculture, etc.
I had Meningitis when I was about one year old and a double Pneumonia when I was about twelve. But nothing happened in my adult life.
not entirely sure your theory applies, to me at least.
i think you see much more people with bad eyesight nowadays as life/nature does not kill us off immediately. with minimal corrections we can be productive members of society (unlike 5k years ago).