Is Nissa Really a Paleolithic Woman?

     Many parts of Nissa's life reflect the same values and follow certain lifestyle patterns of the Paleolithic era. However, despite the recounts of her childhood memories, marriages, loss, and more I don't believe Nissa truly is a Paleolithic woman.
     Her family did not own their own livestock and it seems that they didn't grow their own food either. She described her family and community members as gatherer-hunters. Her father would do his best to come home with meat and other members would share this bounty. While the women would gather seeds, roots, and other vegetation. This was a key factor that could have identified Nissa as a Paleolithic woman. Although the way I see it, this just a way her community stays connected to the past; a tradition or culture.
      When Nissa talked about her marriages and affairs I found it strange. Paleolithic women generally did not want affairs and societies were mainly monogamous. Women did not want to share their husbands with another woman. Despite these ideals of love it has very much changed since then.  Nissa had many affairs and so did her husband. She talked about how having more than one man allowed her to have many things. From the offering of food, beads, or money. Every woman may have similar experiences but in the end the experience turns out completely different. Nissa's experience of love and commitment can be found similar to those in the Paleolithic era, but it is difficult to truly compare it to the experience of those in the Paleolithic era.
     Modern medicine is highly effective and can have a small to large amount of side effects. Nissa's experience with medicine was more natural and ritualistic. When she or anyone else felt ill they would take n/um. The person would be laid to rest and women would rub down the face and body with oil as the body trembled and the person was in a trance. This use of herbal and natural medicine is not uncommon today though. Many asian countries such as China or Japan still use herbal medicines.
      Today, research has shown us much about the past and how our ancestors lived. The only problem is that we can't truly prove these so called facts all the time. And we can't say that one community's experience is the same as another. There were different living conditions, different cultures, religions, and traditions and those two different communities could have been right next to each other. Nissa's experiences certainly show relations to the Paleolithic people, but it doesn't truly prove that she herself is a Paleolithic woman.