ABSTRACT
Paleolithic or early Stone Age man lived between 50 000 and 9 000 BC and has left some traces of his mode of life and physical characteristics. From cave murals and from fertility symbols of these times it is apparent that the women were of generous proportions, suggesting that they had adequate gynaecoid pelves. Paleolithic nomadic hunting people would at times be compelled to go on very long journeys in pursuit of migrating prey. Shortage of food and the burden of carrying dependants meant that some babies and children would die or be abandoned or even killed en route. As the ancient civilisations evolved through the centuries and society became more structured, so people began to develop trades and skills such as herding, carpentry, weaving, and building using bricks, stone and wood, and it is conceivable that the ‘experienced woman’ would come to care professionally for other women in disease and sickness as well as in childbirth.
