The Claim
The transition to agriculture and animal husbandry during the Neolithic period is associated with only a modest reduction in human stature, primarily influenced by shifts in genetic ancestry and partially offset by the emergence of lactose tolerance.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
When humans shifted from hunting and gathering to farming and raising animals during the Neolithic period, average height decreased slightly due to changes in genetic background, but this reduction was partly counteracted by the development of lactose tolerance.
See the scientific wording
The transition to agriculture and animal husbandry during the Neolithic period is associated with only a modest reduction in human stature, primarily influenced by shifts in genetic ancestry and partially offset by the emergence of lactose tolerance.
Changes in inherited genes reduced the body's ability to grow tall, but being able to digest milk as an adult provided extra nutrients that helped bones grow a bit more than they otherwise would have.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Human evolution: Stature variation in the Neolithic.
When people started farming and raising animals, they got a bit shorter, but not by much—mostly because their ancestors' genes changed, and being able to drink milk as adults helped them stay a little taller.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.