How Strong Were Ancient Humans?

Since the dawn of humankind, physical strength and athleticism have played a major role in survival and dominance. Even in today’s modern world, we remain fascinated by superhuman feats of strength and athletic prowess.

But how do the physical capabilities of ancient humans compare to modern Homo sapiens? Were our distant ancestors stronger and more athletic than us?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Research shows that ancient humans were physically very strong compared to us due to their highly active lifestyles and muscle-building daily routines.

However, top athletes today can outperform them in some measures of strength and athleticism due to advanced training methods and nutrition.

In this comprehensive article, we will analyze the archeological and anthropological evidence to evaluate the physical strength, athletic skills, and overall fitness of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, Neolithic farmers, Bronze and Iron Age humans, Ancient Greeks, and Romans.

We will compare their estimated strength levels and athletic capabilities to those of modern humans. To answer this question, we will examine their muscle mass, bone density, diet, lifestyle factors, and more.

We will also look at remarkable feats of strength performed by ancient humans, and how they stack up against today’s strongmen and champion athletes. Read on to discover the true capabilities of our ancient ancestors!

Muscle Mass and Bone Density

Estimated Muscle Mass

Studies of skeletal remains suggest that ancient humans like Neanderthals had a higher percentage of muscle mass compared to modern humans. Analysis of leg bone dimensions indicates that Neanderthals had significantly stronger leg muscles.

One study estimated that Neanderthal lower leg muscles were about 20-30% larger than modern humans. Their larger muscle mass likely enabled Neanderthals to generate higher forces and move with greater strength and speed.

However, some experts argue that Neanderthal muscle mass may be overestimated based on skeletal remains alone. While their bones were larger and more robust, it is difficult to precisely determine muscle size from bones.

Direct comparison of muscle mass between ancient and modern humans is challenging due to lack of preserved muscle tissue.

Bone Density and Robusticity

In addition to larger muscle mass, Neanderthals also had higher bone density and more robust bones. Analysis of Neanderthal remains shows they had thicker and longer leg bones. Their bones were also straighter rather than curved like modern human bones.

This indicates their bones were adapted to withstand high levels of biomechanical loading from both muscle forces and physical activity.

One study found that Neanderthal leg bones were so robust that they were similar in strength to modern athletes like rodeo riders and hockey players. Their extra-strong bones allowed them to be more active and mobile when hunting prey or traversing rough terrain.

The high bone density also provided injury protection during physical confrontations with large animals or other Neanderthals.

In contrast, modern human bones are gracile and delicate by comparison. While our bones are well-suited for modern lifestyles, they would be more prone to fractures and breaks under the high loading forces that Neanderthals endured regularly.

Diet and Nutrition

Paleolithic Hunter-Gatherers

Paleolithic humans living 50,000-10,000 years ago obtained nutrition by foraging, fishing and hunting wild animals. Their diet consisted mainly of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds – food sources readily available from nature.

With no agriculture, early humans adapted well to seasonal and environmental changes in food availability by moving between resource areas.

Analysis of fossil evidence indicates paleolithic humans were much taller and more muscular than later agricultural societies. According to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, paleolithic humans were estimated to consume 3,000-5,000 calories per day on average to support their active lifestyle, with a balanced ratio of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Advent of Agriculture

The invention of agriculture around 12,000 years ago provided an abundant, reliable food supply. However, it had negative impacts on human health and physique over time. Farming communities transitioned to grain-based diets lacking in protein and other nutrients compared to hunter-gatherer diets.

According to research by Cambridge University, the average height of humans in Europe declined by over 6 inches within a few thousand years after the advent of agriculture. This was likely due to nutritional deficiencies, along with living in close proximity to livestock which increased disease risk.

Ancient Greek and Roman Diet

The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations had access to diverse foods through extensive trade networks. Wealthy Greeks and Romans enjoyed lavish banquets with a variety of meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese and wine.

Poorer citizens often consumed cheaper grains like millet or barley, supplemented by foods such as olives, figs, fish, eggs and cheese when available.

According to research published in the Classical Quarterly journal, the Greek and Roman diet provided good nutrition to the upper class. But many lower class laborers engaged in physically demanding jobs likely dealt with joint issues due to overwork combined with nutrient deficiencies.

Lifestyle and Physical Activity

Daily Life of Hunter-Gatherers

Hunter-gatherers in ancient times led very active lifestyles full of manual labor. They had to forage, hunt, fish, build shelters, craft tools, and more to survive. This required them to be very physically fit with strength, speed, agility, and endurance.

Studies of modern hunter-gatherers show they walk an average of 9 miles per day searching for food sources.

Farming and Early Manual Labor

The development of agriculture around 12,000 years ago led to more sedentary lifestyles for many people. However, farming still required extensive physical labor to plant, tend, harvest crops, herd animals, etc.

Common tools like sickles, plows, and millstones had to be operated by hand or animal power. Building also relied heavily on human strength, from quarrying stone to constructing pyramids. So ancient farmers and laborers engaged in taxing full-body exercise as part of daily life.

Ancient Greek Athletics and Training

Athletic training reached new levels in Ancient Greece. The Greeks valued physical fitness and competition, as seen in the original Olympic games starting in 776 BCE. Greek athletes trained rigorously, lifting weights, running, wrestling, boxing, pankration, and more.

Training facilities like palaestras and gymnasiums emerged. The philosopher Galen studied athletic coaching and diet. This shows how the Greeks systematically developed training methods to push the human body to its limits.

Gladiators and Roman Military Training

Gladiators in Ancient Rome underwent demanding physical conditioning as full-time professional fighters. Using special diets and progressive resistance training with weights and calisthenics, gladiators built exceptional muscular strength and stamina.

Roman soldiers also followed stringent exercise and martial drills to prepare for military campaigns. Their training included marching 20 miles in 5 hours with a 45lb pack. This underscores how structured training regimens enabled ancient warriors to achieve remarkable feats of power and endurance.

Feats of Strength and Athletic Achievements

Lifting Stones and Heavy Objects

Ancient humans had to be strong to survive the harsh conditions of their time. Archeological evidence shows they lifted and moved massive stones and objects. The largest documented stone moved by prehistoric humans is the Thunder Stone, weighing around 1,500 tons.

Groups would use log rollers and ropes to move such gigantic rocks. Strength was vital not just for men hunting and fighting, but also for women in tilling fields and grinding grain by hand for hours.

Jumping, Running, and Combat

Ancient humans engaged in feats of jumping, running and combat that seem superhuman by modern standards. Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy, had calves as large as a professional dancer’s. This shows the amount of mountain climbing ancient people did.

Vietnamese tribe members in the early 1900s could easily clear fences over 2.5 meters high. Spartan warriors were famous for running and jumping in armor. The average Spartiate soldier likely covered over 15 miles marching with 45+ lbs of armor.

Greek Olympic Records

The original Olympic Games in ancient Greece involved incredible displays of power and speed. In the stade race (200 yard dash), runners would finish in under 30 seconds while wearing armor. The longest race was the diaulos (2 stadium lengths) which took around 2 minutes.

Wrestling matches had no weight classes or time limits – bouts lasted until surrender. Boxing matches only ended by knockout or fighter admitting defeat. Other events like discus had throws over 100 feet.

Gladiator Fights and Training Drills

Roman gladiators engaged in grueling feats of endurance and strength. Using replica Roman armor and weapons, modern historians have recreated gladiator training drills and fights. On average, gladiators likely trained 4+ hours daily, practicing with weapons weighing up to 15 lbs.

Fights could last 10-15 minutes of constant attacking, blocking and grappling. Gladiators consumed energy-boosting meals of barley, beans and dried fruit to fuel extreme workouts. Their bones show signs of wounds healed, proving gladiators recovered quickly.

Comparison to Modern Humans

Muscle Mass and Bone Density

Ancient humans like Neanderthals had more muscle mass and denser bones compared to modern humans. Studies of Neanderthal skeletons show they had shorter but stockier builds, with wide shoulders and thick bones (1). Their bones were 20-30% denser than ours, which made them stronger but slower.

The average Neanderthal male was only 5 ft 5 in tall but weighed 150 lbs with almost no body fat. In contrast, today’s average American male is 5 ft 9 in and weighs 195 lbs, but a third of that is body fat (2).

Diet Quality

Neanderthals ate a diet primarily of wild game meat like woolly mammoth, deer, bison and wild boar. Game meat is lean and nutrient-dense, providing high quality protein and essential fatty acids like omega-3s that develop strong muscles and bones (3).

In contrast, today’s Western diet is high in processed foods and added sugars which lead to obesity, inflammation and weaker bones. However, ancient human diets were also tougher with periods of famine and food scarcity that culled the weaker individuals.

Physical Activity Levels

Ancient hunter-gatherers like Neanderthals were far more physically active than modern humans. They traveled long distances on foot in search of food and migrated seasonally. Neanderthals specifically ambushed and took down large dangerous prey at close quarters, which required great speed and strength (4).

In contrast, today’s average adult spends most of their time sitting, either at desks in offices or on couches at home. Long hours of sedentary behavior leads to muscle atrophy and poorer bone density.

However, ancient lives were also shorter, so they did not live long enough to develop chronic diseases from inactivity.

Strength Feats and Benchmark Lifts

Based on their skeletons, musculature and lifestyle, researchers estimate Neanderthals had remarkable strength capabilities well beyond an average gym-goer today. But modern powerlifters and strongmen who intensely train could match or exceed Neanderthal strength levels.

Ultimately, while ancient humans had a genetic advantage, the human body remains highly adaptable and responsive to training stimuli (5). Behavior, not just biology, determines strength potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ancient humans were exceptionally strong and physically capable compared to average modern humans due to their active lifestyles and natural diets. However, top athletes today have surpassed them in some measures of athleticism, strength, and physique through dedicated training, technique, and nutrition.

While we’ve made progress in sports science and training, ancient humans developed impressive strength, speed, and fitness from their hunting, farming, military training, and athletic competitions. Learning about our ancestral strength can motivate us to improve our own fitness and unlock our innate physical potential.