In prehistory, females probably invented the first tools; baskets of fibre, wooden cooking sticks, thongs, fish traps of woven twigs. But the evidence has disappeared; only sharp-edged flint arrows and axe heads remain, evidence of weapons for hunting larger prey. It was males of the hominid genus - a human ancestor - who used durable, lethal weapons to secure high value protein, winning higher status commensurate with the 'value' of the prize. Male agression developed in parallel with highly efficient hunting tactics, endurance and hunting skills. Today, both male and female status may reflect this ancient epoch, when male and female roles divided. In the modern era there are echoes of feminine 'sensory intuition', the vital ability to seek out and identify safe nourishment from plant sources. In prehistory, male dominance progressed further; women were no match for the 'linear logic' that proved so successful in sustaining and perpetuating human progress and geographic expansion. Patriarchal structures of early human society propelled this new species faster and further than primate ancestors, cementing a pattern of behaviour that persists today; we dominate the world and all its resources. But humans are in danger of rapidly exhausting the planet's reserves of clean air and water, of accelerating the demise of other, long-established species. Women's sensory intuition is perhaps a safer, more human and humane approach to living life on a crowded Earth. Is it time to recognise the fundamental necessity of returning to the female position and her true status? Not as a surrogate male, but as the original model for human behaviour - at one with nature, the ancient Femina sapiens. senory
About the Author: C.A.Malden ('Dangerous Mind', 2006 - 'Evolution from Start To Finish', 2016 - 'God. Truth & Darwin', 2017) is a respected science writer, specialising in the extraordinary story of human origins. In 2012, Malden discovered previously unknown confirmation in Darwin's own notebooks for his theory that human recall drives our mental abilities, especially to order the environment to suit ourselves, unlike all other species. Malden Worked originally at the University of Oxford Nuclear Physics department, helping to construct the ground-breaking Helium Bubble Chamber experiment (to track the pattern of hitherto unknown high-energy particles). A career in science writing and a qualification in psychology from University of London (plus valuable experience in London's communications industry) combines a broad, refreshing approach to sometimes complex subjects. Malden was born during the London Blitz and the family home was destroyed. Moving to school in Abingdon and Oxford he took 'A' levels in London and then began touring France and Spain funded by work as an engineer (making machines to paint white lines at Wimbledon and for football pitches!). Love of Paris, Spain and the Baleares he settled with his wife in Mallorca. 15 years later, a move to southern France added another language to Spanish and English. After 33 years in Europe he and his wife now live in Devon where he continues writing, with time off to explore Dartmoor and the South West of England. Malden is also a selling artist and has a passion for music and nature, particularly conservation and protection of the biosphere.