"A Healed Femur"

[med_cat]

A student once asked anthropologist Margaret Mead, “What is the earliest sign of civilization?” The student expected her to say a clay pot, a grinding stone, or maybe a weapon.

Margaret Mead thought for a moment, then she said, “A healed femur.”

A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. In societies without the benefits of modern

Comments

[lindahoyland]

I agree true civilisation is caring for the needy.

[med_cat]

Yes...

[amethyst_witch]

I loved reading this. Thank you so much for sharing it. :) Touched my heart.

[med_cat]

You are most welcome. My oldest showed it to me :)

[elenbarathi]

"Mead explained that where the law of the jungle-the survival of the fittest-rules, no healed femurs are found. The first sign of civilization is compassion, seen in a healed femur."

Animals have compassion. Many of them will stay by their wounded loved ones as long as life endures, doing their best to help, and mourning pitifully when their efforts are in vain. What humans have, that other animals don't have, is the ability to provide effective care for a prolonged period. A chimp might try hard to keep her broken child alive, but the exigencies of chimpanzee life don't allow for weeks of even relative immobility; they're always on the move. Chimpanzee thought doesn't look past the needs of the moment, either, or make plans with others.

The healed femur is a sign that some humans had the ability to camp in one place for six weeks, and to feed and care for someone who couldn't walk. The first sign of civilization is structure, without which, compassion is helpless.

[med_cat]

You make a valid point.

[tigerbright]

I will be using this as part of my personal tribute to my founding executive director, who is retiring this month.

[med_cat]

I am sure your tribute will be appreciated :)