what happened to disabled people in prehistoric times?

Answer 1

People in prehistoric times were no different than we are so the probably tried to care for their sick and disabled to the extent they could with out endangering their own survival. There are many examples of skeletons with healed broken bones showing they were cared for after serious injuries. The use of plants as healing agents were depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France, about 25,000 BCE.

Answer 2

Probably tribal instinct was to protect them as much as they could, help to feed them. But if they couldnt hunt as much because that person couldnt play a part in food gathering, then find that usually disease, malnutrition, weakness or if they could not defend themselves against attacks from animals, then they usually would not last beyond what the tribe could support them.

While survival of the fittest would have played some part, our ancestors in prehistoric times were human with feelings - i cant believe they would have just left them their to die without some kind of help.

Answer 3

Well, once good old Uncle Oog got his kneecap smashed in a hunting accident, people would remember him. His nephews would remember what a kindly uncle he was. His younger hunting buddies would remember him teaching them how to hunt. Or they would remember how Uncle Oog could steer a herd of wooly mammoths so they would jump over the cliffs. So, he would probably be left safely at home in the cave with the women and children. And he would help gather nuts and berries, barbecue wooly mammoth burgers, and maybe even baby-sit for his great-nieces and great-nephews. And people would give him some of their wooly mammoth burgers.

Answer 4

I believe most were left to die if they were disabled at birth.
No one would have known what to do if there was anything that could be done.
If someone became disabled it might depend onthem having a family to take care of them and most "tribes" were on the move so what would it take to move Uncle Oog to the next place???

Answer 5

What usually happens to animals when they become disabled; they are usually abandoned by the pack. That is why it is a measure of how civilized we are by how we treat our disabled, our old and our young. Good question.

Answer 6

Sabertooth Tiger Bait.

There would have been no means to support the sick and the lame. They would have been left to die unless they managed to keep up and hunt.

Answer 7

I assume they would have been left to die. Survival of the fittest.