Statistically were hunter gatherers more violent than modern people

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Statistical comparisons of violence between hunter-gatherers and modern societies can be tricky, but some research provides insights:

1. Violence Rates: Studies of contemporary hunter-gatherer societies suggest that rates of lethal violence—such as homicide—can vary widely but are often lower than in modern industrialized societies. For example, some research indicates that homicide rates in hunter-gatherer groups might be around 10-30 per 100,000 people, which can be lower than rates seen in some urban areas today.

2. War and Conflict: While hunter-gatherers did engage in intergroup conflicts, these often resulted in fewer casualties compared to modern warfare. Historical estimates suggest that around 10-15% of deaths in hunter-gatherer societies might have been due to violence, whereas modern conflicts can lead to much higher percentages of violent deaths.

3. Types of Violence: The nature of violence differs. Hunter-gatherers often engaged in direct, personal forms of conflict, whereas modern violence can include systemic, organized, and state-sponsored violence, which can lead to higher overall death tolls.

4. Cultural and Social Factors: Many hunter-gatherer societies had social mechanisms for conflict resolution, which may have mitigated violence. In contrast, modern societies face complexities like anonymity, urbanization, and social disintegration, which can contribute to higher rates of violence.

5. Contextual Variability: It's important to note that violence rates can vary widely based on specific cultural, social, and environmental factors. Not all hunter-gatherer societies were the same, nor are all modern societies uniform.

In summary, while hunter-gatherers experienced violence, evidence suggests that statistically, they may have been less violent than many modern societies, particularly in terms of lethal violence. However, the types and contexts of violence must be considered when making these comparisons.