17 Women for Every Man: The Ancient Origins of Extreme Reproductive Inequality.

The Pacific Standard article “8,000 Years Ago, 17 Women Reproduced for Every One Man” examines a dramatic genetic bottleneck around 8,000 years ago, during the Neolithic shift to agriculture. Analyzing modern DNA, researchers found that reproductive success skewed heavily toward women, with an estimated 17 females reproducing for every male. This disparity, peaking between 8,000 and 4,000 years ago, likely stemmed from a few men amassing wealth and power—perhaps through land or livestock—monopolizing mates and passing advantages to their sons. Over time, as societies stabilized, the ratio eased, climbing to four or five women per man in recent history. The piece suggests this reflects not just biological drives but cultural shifts, where elite men’s dominance warped reproductive patterns, a stark contrast to the more balanced foraging past, hinting at agriculture’s profound societal ripple effects.