What the Earth Remembers: Lessons from Our Ancestors 🌸

Hello deer, this is Seri 🌸

As a student in social sciences, I often find myself drawn not only to theories and books, but to something deeper: the lives of those who came before us.

Especially the people of prehistory, those whose names we’ll never know, yet whose hands shaped the first tools, whose stories lived in firelight, whose rhythms followed the land.

Without idealizing everything, there’s something grounding in looking back. In our modern world, with its speed and noise, I believe there’s wisdom to be found in the slow, cyclical, and sacred ways our ancestors lived particularly in their relationship with the earth.

This post is a quiet reflection on how ancestral practices, and the spirit behind them, can still nourish us today.

What was the downfall of the human nature?

The Agricultural Revolution was the first fracture.

It changed our rhythm with the earth from foragers in tune with the wild to settlers bending land to their will.

Hierarchies formed.

Ownership began.

Gender roles hardened.

And dependence on stored food made power easier to concentrate, and inequality harder to escape.

This brought many benefits food surplus, population growth but also inequality. People began to own land, control resources, and build hierarchies. With agriculture came class, gender inequality, war, and the loss of connection to the land’s rhythm.

Then came major organized religions, often hand-in-hand with empires.

At first, belief systems were rooted in animism, cycles, and spirits in everything. But later, institutionalized religions began shaping strict moral orders and centralized authority especially patriarchal.

Spirituality was no longer felt in the river or tree, it was often mediated by texts, priests, and rules.

(Though, to be fair, they also brought hope and community in many places too.)

And then, capitalism, like a storm in slow motion.

It turned time into money, nature into resource, and people into labor.

It didn’t just remove us from nature, it commodified even our bodies and emotions.

And then came industrialization, the smoke, the machines, the cities rising like iron forests. We moved even farther from the soil. The hands that once planted seeds were now turning levers, and soon, even dreams became mechanical.

Just one century ago (around the 1920s–1930s), most people still lived rural lives, especially outside big cities.

They:

Grew their own food or bought it locally

Knew the seasons, animals, and land around them

Shared strong ties with neighbors and families

Lived with far less industrial noise, advertising, or digital distraction

Even though agriculture and cities existed, daily life was still deeply rooted in nature especially for women, elders, and children. Supermarkets, fast food, and mass consumerism are very recent inventions (mostly post-WWII, 1950s onward).

Modern life with its speed, isolation, and hyper-consumption is not the natural result of agriculture, but rather the outcome of industrialization, capitalism, and globalization in the last 100–150 years.

We’ve shifted from:

Growing food → Buying packaged goods

Knowing neighbors → Following strangers online

Walking or cycling → Cars, highways, commuting

Agriculture gave us stability. It allowed humans to settle, build homes, raise children in one place. It led to the birth of civilizations, writing, culture, and art.

Capitalism and industrialization brought medicine, transportation, access to knowledge, and comfort we never had before. Lives became longer. Literacy spread. Cities bloomed with opportunity.

But in the same breath, they cost us something invisible.

Before industrialization, life was slower, simpler, and more connected to nature, but also harder in some ways.

1. Mostly Rural Life

People lived in villages or countryside.

Most were farmers or craftspeople, growing food or making things by hand.

Families were big, and community life was central.

2. Work Was Manual

No machines :people used hand tools, animals, and natural forces (like wind or water).

Work followed the seasons and daylight : no 9-to-5 jobs or electricity.

3. Local Economy

Most goods were made and used locally: clothes, bread, tools.

People traded or bartered more than they bought things with money.

Markets were small and personal.

4. Stronger Ties to Nature

People knew the land, animals, and weather deeply.

There was less waste and more reuse.

Food was seasonal and homemade, no supermarkets or plastic packaging.

5. Less Convenience, More Community

Life could be harder (no modern medicine, no internet), but people:

Knew their neighbors

Shared resources

Had clear roles and cultural traditions

In summary:

Before industrialization, people lived closer to the earth, to each other, and to limits. Life was rooted in rhythms, natural, human, and slow.

It wasn’t always easy, (People were more vulnerable to illness, hunger, and weather, There were fewer medical resources, and childbirth was dangerous, many worked long hours on farms just to survive) but it was more grounded.

What was the best era for humans ?

The question of the "best era" for humanity is subjective and can vary depending on how we define "best."

It can be interpreted through different lenses quality of life, technological progress, social equity, environmental health, and human flourishing.

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors showed us what it means to live in harmony, to share, and to care for one another.

Later, agricultural and industrial societies brought structure, growth, and innovation but also hierarchy, disconnection, and imbalance.

Now, standing in the modern world, we have a unique chance: to learn from the past, use the tools of the present, and imagine a future where we don’t have to choose between progress and peace.

Each era had its strengths and weaknesses, so here's a breakdown of some of the key periods in history and their potential as the "best era":

1. Pre-Agricultural Era (Hunter-Gatherer Societies).

Timeframe: Before the development of agriculture (before around 10,000 BCE).

Strengths:

Balanced relationship with nature: Humans lived in harmony with the environment and had minimal ecological impact.

Healthier lives: Evidence suggests hunter-gatherers had healthier diets, with more physical activity and lower rates of disease.

Social equality: These societies were often egalitarian, with less hierarchy, fewer gendered roles, and more communal sharing.

Freedom & leisure: With shorter work hours (3–5 hours per day), people had more time for leisure, creativity, and community activities.

Weaknesses:

High mortality rates: Life expectancy was lower due to limited medical knowledge, high infant mortality, and the dangers of living in the wild.

Limited technological advancements: No written language, complex infrastructure, or large-scale innovations.

2. Agricultural Revolution

Timeframe: Around 10,000 BCE – 3,000 BCE (start of early civilizations).

Strengths:

Stable food supply: Agriculture allowed for more surplus food, supporting larger populations.

Development of cities: Early civilizations began to flourish with the rise of cities, writing, and more organized societies.

Cultural and intellectual advancements: Writing, art, philosophy, and religion started to take root, sparking cultural evolution.

Weaknesses:

Social hierarchies: The rise of agriculture led to the development of social inequalities, patriarchy, class divisions, and the idea of private property.

Health decline: With settled life, disease spread more easily, and agriculture led to a less diverse diet, contributing to health issues like malnutrition.

Labor-intensive society: Agriculture created more hard work and social divisions.

3. The Renaissance (15th – 17th Century)

Timeframe: 14th to 17th century (particularly in Europe).

Strengths:

Explosion of creativity and intellect: Rebirth of classical knowledge, leading to breakthroughs in art, science, philosophy, and literature.

Humanism: Focus on individual potential, reason, and human rights.

Technological innovations: Advances like the printing press, new forms of art (e.g., perspective in painting), and exploration (e.g., Columbus, Da Gama).

Weaknesses:

Limited access to knowledge: Despite advancements, most people remained illiterate, and there was social inequality.

Colonialism: The era also saw the rise of colonialism and slavery, creating long-lasting harm to indigenous populations.

4. The Age of Enlightenment (17th – 18th Century)

Timeframe: 17th to 18th century (primarily in Europe).

Strengths:

Scientific revolution: Major breakthroughs in physics, chemistry, and medicine (e.g., Newton, Galileo, and the early stages of modern medicine).

Human rights movements: Philosophical advancements led to calls for democracy, freedom, and equality (e.g., John Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau).

Social reform: Abolition of monarchy in many parts of the world (e.g., American and French Revolutions) and the promotion of universal education and justice.

Weaknesses:

Slavery and inequality persisted: While Enlightenment thinkers promoted liberty and equality, these ideas were not universally applied slavery, colonialism, and gender inequality remained rampant.

5. The Modern Era (19th Century – Present)

Timeframe: 19th century to now.

Strengths:

Technological progress: The industrial revolution and subsequent technological advancements (electricity, computers, medicine) have drastically improved living standards and global communication.

Globalization and interconnectedness: We live in a more interconnected world where cultures, ideas, and resources move more freely.

Human rights and social justice: Movements for gender equality, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights have gained momentum.

Health improvements: Advances in medicine, sanitation, and public health have significantly increased life expectancy.

Weaknesses:

Environmental degradation: Industrialization has led to massive environmental problems, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution.

Social inequality: Despite progress in human rights, there are still deep economic inequalities, with many suffering under the pressures of capitalism and globalization.

Mental health crisis: The pace of modern life, societal pressures, and technology have led to rising rates of stress, anxiety, and disconnection.

Which era was the "best"?

It depends on what you value:

If you value equality, health, and sustainability, hunter-gatherer societies or small agrarian communities might be ideal.

If you value knowledge, creativity, and technological progress, then the Renaissance or Enlightenment periods could be considered some of the best.

If you value advancements in medicine, global connectivity, and human rights, then the modern era (despite its flaws) might seem the most promising.

Conclusion:

There’s no definitive "best era" for humanity, it depends on your lens. But each era had its breakthroughs and its challenges.

Ideally, we could take the best aspects of all periods (health, community, knowledge, justice) and combine them in a way that respects both human and environmental well-being.

Living Like "Hunter-gatherers" in a Modern World.

Although we live in an age of technology, many people are drawn to the values and lifestyle of early humans—hunter-gatherers who lived in small, egalitarian communities, close to nature, without social classes or rigid roles.

Is it possible to combine the best of both worlds: the freedom and balance of early human life with the comfort and power of modern tools like medicine, solar energy, and digital communication?

The answer is yes—and here’s how.

1. Community and Equality

Early humans lived in small, tight-knit groups where decisions were made together. There were no kings or bosses. Everyone shared food, raised children, and resolved problems as a group.

Today, we could form small communities or neighborhoods where:

Everyone has a voice in decisions

Power is shared equally between genders

No one is extremely rich or poor

Conflicts are solved through discussion, not punishment

Modern help: Online tools and apps can help manage shared decisions fairly and transparently.

2. Shared Resources and Work

Hunter-gatherers didn’t own land or have strict jobs. People shared tasks—some gathered food, others built shelters, others told stories or cared for children. Everyone helped according to ability.

In today’s world, we could:

1. Community-Based Living

Small, intentional communities where people share space, resources, and responsibilities.

Decisions made through consensus or council, not rigid hierarchies.

Shared parenting, intergenerational knowledge, and emotional support like in forager bands.

2. Local, Regenerative Economy

Replace capitalism with gift economies, cooperatives, and bartering systems.

People work to support needs, not profit—crafts, food, healing, education.

No corporations or mass consumerism—focus on sustainability and mutual aid.

3. Modern Tech, Minimal Impact

Use technology to enhance health, education, and communication, not profit.

Develop low-energy, decentralized tools (solar, local networks, open-source machines).

Tech is community-owned, not extractive or addictive.

4. Rewilded Food and Movement

Eat local, whole, seasonal foods, grown with regenerative farming or foraging.

Daily life involves natural movement : walking, squatting, climbing : not sedentary jobs.

Nature is not a park—it’s part of daily living.

5. Health Through Nature + Science

Combine ancestral practices (herbal medicine, preventive care, midwifery) with modern medicine (surgery, diagnostics).

Health is communal, not commodified free and accessible to all.

6. Time, Not Productivity

No 9-to-5. People follow natural rhythms, seasonal cycles, and meaningful work.

Rest, play, creativity, and ritual are valued equally to labor.

7. Education Through Curiosity

No rigid schooling, children learn through exploration, mentorship, and real-life experience.

Mix ancestral skills (tracking, storytelling) with modern knowledge (science, ethics, coding if needed).

In short:

A society like this would blend:

The connection and balance of hunter-gatherer life

The wisdom and tools of modern medicine and tech

Without the alienation of industrialization or the exploitation of capitalism.

It’s not completely utopia, it’s possible, if values shift from growth and profit to relationship, sufficiency, and respect for life.

The food system in a modern hunter-gatherer-inspired society would be localized, sustainable, and diverse, blending ancestral wisdom with modern knowledge.

Here’s how it could work:

1. Foraging and Wild Foods (Ancestral)

People gather wild greens, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, herbs, reconnecting with the land.

Encourages seasonal eating, ecological awareness, and biodiversity.

2. Regenerative Farming (Modern + Ancestral)

Small-scale, no-till, organic farming mimicking natural ecosystems.

Polyculture instead of monoculture, multiple crops grown together, like Indigenous practices.

Animals raised ethically, free-roaming, if at all.

3. Communal Food Systems

Food sharing, trading, and community meals replace markets and packaging.

Food forests and community gardens feed neighborhoods, not profits.

Everyone contributes: growing, cooking, composting.

4. Minimal, Purposeful Hunting

Hunting exists, but only for needs, not sport or profit.

Respect for the animal, no waste, and knowledge of ecosystems is key.

Similar to how Indigenous groups still hunt today.

5. No Supermarkets—but Tech Helps

No giant supermarkets—but:

Local food hubs could use tech for organizing harvests, swaps, or preserving food.

Use of solar dehydrators, fermentation, cold storage.

Apps or networks for community sharing, not profit-driven delivery.

In short:

Local, fresh, seasonal

Community-grown and shared

Supported by tech, not dominated by it

Wild food is embraced, not erased

You eat what you helped create or gather reconnecting you with land, people, and your own body.

How about working?

We absolutely could live without 9–5 jobs.

In fact, for most of human history, we already did.

Hunter-gatherers only “worked” about 3–5 hours per day, doing meaningful things: gathering, making tools, cooking, telling stories, caring for others. Everything was interwoven with life, not separate from it.

Here’s how that could look today:

1. Redefining "Work"

Instead of jobs for wages, people contribute based on skills, needs, and passion.

“Work” includes growing food, caregiving, storytelling, mending, teaching, not just office tasks.

No chasing endless productivity, just shared survival, creativity, and joy.

2. Shared Labor, Less Burden

Everyone pitches in a little, so no one is overworked.

Without a profit economy, there’s less wasteful production (no mass advertising, excess goods).

That means less need for long hours just to afford basic life.

3. Time-Rich Living

More time for rest, art, movement, ritual, and relationships.

Instead of burning out, people cycle through activity and renewal, like natural rhythms.

4. Needs-Based Economy

No bosses or corporations.

You get food, housing, and care because you’re part of the community, not because you “earned” it.

Contributions are valued equally, no status hierarchy based on income.

Modern Example:

While it’s possible to live more like hunter-gatherers, it’s very hard to fully return to that lifestyle in today’s world.

Many natural ecosystems have been altered or polluted, reducing the availability of wild foods.

Modern laws often ban or restrict primitive living (like open fires, hunting, or camping long-term on public land).

But many people do take inspiration from it to live more simply and naturally.

Some eco-villages and cooperative societies already do this, living with shared labor, purpose, and minimal attachment to 9–5 schedules.

Some people also live off-grid, practice bushcraft, forage locally, or homestead.

Others join re-wilding movements, trying to reconnect with nature through ancient skills.

Many homesteaders live in rural or remote areas, where they grow their own food, raise animals, and often hunt or fish. They may use traditional methods for preserving food, building shelters, and making tools.

Some take it further by practicing off-grid living, meaning they rely entirely on renewable energy sources (like solar panels) and often have little-to-no interaction with modern infrastructures like supermarkets or electricity grids.

Some people embrace a minimalist lifestyle, living with fewer possessions and consuming less. Many minimalists also prioritize eating whole, organic, or locally-sourced foods, and may focus on self-sufficiency.

Many indigenous cultures, though affected by modern society, continue to practice elements of a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They often combine traditional knowledge of plant medicine, hunting, and community-based living while also navigating the realities of the modern world. Some indigenous movements focus on preserving traditional ways of living, such as in the Amazon or North American reservations.

Here are some well-known eco-villages from around the world:

Findhorn Ecovillage (Scotland)

One of the most famous eco-villages, combining spiritual community life with ecological practices.

Uses wind power, organic gardening, and ecological building designs.

Sieben Linden (Germany)

A community based on ecological construction and low-impact living.

Uses straw bale houses and aims for low per capita carbon emissions.

Crystal Waters (Australia)

One of the first permaculture-based eco-villages.

Focuses on sustainable land use and cooperative lifestyle.

Many eco-villages grow their own food using organic or permaculture methods—no synthetic chemicals, with an emphasis on soil health and biodiversity.

Some raise animals ethically for dairy, eggs, or meat, while others are fully vegetarian or vegan.

Meals often depend on what’s in season locally.

Diets are usually heavy on fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains, with minimal processed foods.

Eco-villagers often preserve food through drying, fermenting, or canning to use during off-seasons.

People in eco-villages usually work but their work often looks different from typical 9-to-5 job

Many residents work within the eco-village doing farming, gardening, teaching, construction, maintenance, or natural crafts.

Some eco-villages have their own schools, wellness centers, or retreat businesses.

In short:

We could trade the 9–5 for a life with meaning, variety, freedom, and contribution.

Not no work, but no alienated, endless labor for survival.

Conclusion :

Maybe the downfall of human nature was never a single fall, but a series of quiet steps each one moving us further from the rhythm of the earth, and closer to a world built on speed, control, and separation. We traded stars for streetlights, stories for statistics, and wild gardens for concrete walls.

Living like early humans doesn’t mean going back to the Stone Age. It means taking the best values of the past—equality, community, nature, purpose—and blending them with the best of today: technology, medicine, and global knowledge.

This way of life is not just a fantasy, it’s already being tried in eco-villages, intentional communities, and cooperative movements around the world.

The future may not be primitive, but it can be deeply human. To look back is not to reject the present, but to remember who we were… and still are.