Final answer:
Hunter-gatherer skeletons show evidence of higher levels of activity through stronger bones and fewer instances of lifestyle-related diseases compared to their agricultural descendants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hunter-gatherer skeletons indicate a lifestyle characterized by higher levels of activity, as evidenced by their comparatively stronger bones and general physical health. Research suggests that hunter-gatherers had stronger bones, lower blood pressure, and less heart disease due to their active lifestyles, which included walking and diets rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Unlike their farming counterparts, gatherer-hunters were often healthier and had more leisure time, suggestive of a less strenuous workload. Hunter-gatherer societies were characterized by flexible gender roles in food procurement, further demonstrating the diversity of their physical activities.
While modern adults generally perform far less physical activity than hunter-gatherers, studies of ancient skeletal remains reveal increases in ailments such as osteoarthritis and bone density loss with the advent of a more sedentary agricultural lifestyle. Thus, comparing contemporary foragers to historical hunter-gatherers helps illuminate the profound impact lifestyle changes have had on human health.