Chinese history says otherwise. Nomadic tribes always get an upper hand despite disadvantage in numbers.
replyYes, as I understand it the population growth of the arable community is far faster than the hunter gatherers. This is because hunter gatherers often did not wean children off breast milk until they were 5, whilst arable farmers breast fed there children only up to 1 year.
replyBreastfeeding is a natural contraceptive.
Having got my wife pregnant while she was still nursing our 1 year old, I think the contraceptive nature of the nursing period is overstated.
replyWhy?!
replyFood. In Arable societies children could be weened onto porridge or milk from cows. Food that hunter gatherers survived on is less digestible for babies.
replySo you would get higher population growth in Arable societies but not necessarily healthier.