The Prehistory of Sex: Four Million Years of Human Sexual Culture

In prehistory, what idea did early humans have of fatherhood? What did they consider to be attractive physical features? Was a distinction made between heterosexuality and homosexuality? What was their idea of propriety - if they had one? These questions are addressed in this book, using new techniques to examine archaeological remains and evolutionary evidence of the prehistoric way of life. The impact of distinctive physical features of the human species is assessed, and sociological developments are also considered. Looking at prehistory in this way raises questions about our own lives in the late 20th century, and the author discusses fiercly-debated modern questions as to whether sexuality is genetically determined, or whether it is nature or nurture which governs our behaviour. He also considers in detail the biological differences between the sexes, in particular reproduction, and the different selection pressures on the sexes. This study is a survey of the sexuality and sexual politics of human existence.