Question

When we read about prehistoric people, most of it is about cave men. There isn’t much about cave women. Most of us think of prehistoric women from cartoons, many of which show men dragging women by their hair. In other words, we get the idea that men were the dominant gender of ancient times.

Science tells a very different story. Evidence from prehistoric statues and cave art tells us that women were probably held in high regard and probably invented many things necessary to human societies. For example, it seems likely that women, not men, invented gardening, as well as created the first baskets and pottery. This makes sense for two reasons. First, women had to care for young children, so they remained close to the camp or cave. Men were often away somewhere hunting for game. Women were also the ones who had the time to weave baskets, make clay pots, and help feed the people by tending to gardens.

Use your own words to explain the main idea in the paragraph.

List two details that support the main idea.

List two details that give information about why women probably were the ones to invent pottery, baskets, and gardening.

Answer 1

The main idea of the paragraph is that women should be credited for much more during the prehistoric times that they are at the moment. We only get the picture of them being rather irrelevant at the time which is obviously not true, based on this excerpt. The paragraph is quite feminist, meaning that it is shedding light on actual history and the role of women in such a society which not much is spoken about in contemporary analyses.
They were the ones who invented gardening, as well as pottery and weaving. The reason why they did this was because they often stayed 'at home' taking care of children, so they had time to do other things as well, while men were out hunting and providing for the family in other ways. Thus we have solid proof that women were far more creative and responsible for various things than they are credited for now.

Answer 2

Here’s a sample sentence that gives the main idea. Your answer will be different. “In the light of scientific evidence, the place of women in prehistoric times has been misunderstood.”

Statues and cave art show that women were valued. Women probably invented pottery and baskets, and they probably started the business of gardening.

Women had to care for children, so they stayed near home. They had time to do things like make pots and tend to gardens.

Step-by-step explanation: