A Broken Femur Tutorial

Discover the profound insight from renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead as she reveals what she believes to be the first sign of civilization: a healed human femur. This eye-opening exploration uncovers how compassion and mutual support in times of injury lay the foundation for human society. Join us to learn how relationships and care for others define our humanity.

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what she believed to be the first sign of civilization in a culture.

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The student expected to hear about primitive hooks,

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clay bowls,

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or sharpening stones.

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Instead,

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Mead revealed a much deeper too.

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The first sign of civilization,

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she revealed was the discovery of a healed human femur.

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This answer brought a new perspective to the student.

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Mead explained,

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in nature,

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being an injured animal,

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a broken leg means death.

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An injured animal cannot survive.

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Without its normal ability to flee danger,

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hunt for food,

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or go to the river to drink,

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it becomes easy prey.

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No animal has the opportunity to survive a fracture long enough for the bone to heal.

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Finding a broken human femur that has healed

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provides evidence that someone took the time to stay with the fallen one.

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This person or group kept the person safe,

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fed,

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and hydrated them,

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cared for their wound,

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and took care of them until they recovered.

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It's proof that someone looked emphatically at the

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other and chose mutual aid over competition.

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Helping someone through difficulties is the starting point of civilization,

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Mead concluded.

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