Buzz
Peter McAllister, the author of Manthropology: The Science of Why the Modern Male Is Not the Man He Used to Be, offers a witty and evidence-backed exploration of how men from the past surpass modern males in nearly every physical aspect.
Crispin Andrews interviewed Peter McAllister to uncover which historical figures would dominate in today’s sports arena. Here are the intriguing results:
10. Ancient Australians vs. Usain Bolt
At the Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt shattered the world record by sprinting 100 meters (328 ft) in 9.69 seconds, reaching a speed of 42 kilometers per hour (26 mph). However, 20,000-year-old fossilized footprints from Australia reveal that ancient humans could achieve 37 kilometers per hour (23 mph)—barefoot and on soft mud. With modern training, spikes, and a proper track, they might have hit speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour (28 mph).
These ancient Australians possessed long limbs and leg bones 40 percent denser and stronger than those of modern humans. As nomadic hunters, their survival depended on speed to catch prey like kangaroos and emus. Fossilized footprints are rare, and the ones found likely belonged to an average runner, not the fastest. Modern humans average 24 kilometers per hour (15 mph), 18 kilometers per hour (11 mph) slower than Bolt. If these tracks were made by an average runner, the fastest Pleistocene Australians could have reached 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph).
9. Native Americans vs. Samuel Wanjiru
In 2008, Kenyan athlete Samuel Wanjiru set an Olympic marathon record in Beijing, completing the race in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 32 seconds. However, if a 19th-century Mojave Native American had competed, Wanjiru might have settled for second place. The Mojave people played a game called kickball, which involved running through the desert along the Colorado River while kicking a wooden ball for hours on end.
This kickball game required an average Mojave to burn 17,000 calories daily, nearly double the energy expended by Tour de France cyclists. One Mojave man reportedly ran 322 kilometers (200 mi) in 24 hours. In contrast, Greek runner Yiannis Kouros, who holds the world record for 24-hour running, managed 304 kilometers (189 mi) in 1997—despite wearing spikes, running on a track, and not facing threats like wolves or rattlesnakes.
8. Pleistocene Aborigines vs. Kerri Walsh Jennings
Pleistocene Aborigines would have excelled in volleyball, not just because of their Usain Bolt-like speed or their tall, lean frames ideal for basketball or cricket. These ancient Australians had an additional edge: their arms were 10 centimeters (4 in) longer on average, giving them a significant advantage in the sport.
For elite volleyball players like Kerri Walsh Jennings, long arms are essential. An underhand serve gains more power and precision with extended arm length, while overhand serves benefit from increased speed and reduced ball flight time. Longer arms also enhance reach, making it easier to return serves and dominate the net.
7. Athenian Oarsmen vs. Olympic Rowers
Modern Olympic rowers may seem unparalleled, but they pale in comparison to their ancient counterparts. While today’s rowers can achieve impressive speeds, 2,500 years ago, Athenian oarsmen were far superior. In 427 B.C., an Athenian trireme completed a 340-kilometer (211 mi) journey to Lesbos in just 24 hours. When modern rowers attempted the same feat in a reconstructed trireme, they could only maintain such speed for seconds, with their maximum sustained speed being 9 kilometers per hour (5.6 mph).
Ancient records suggest that even an average Athenian crew could outperform modern rowers. Athens boasted 200 triremes and 34,000 oarsmen at the time. Scientists studying their metabolic rates concluded that ancient rowers could sustain speeds of 14 kilometers per hour (8.7 mph), a feat beyond the aerobic capacity of today’s athletes. This indicates that Athenians had a naturally higher capacity for endurance.
6. Australopithecus vs. Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko, despite his intimidating presence and multiple world heavyweight titles, would have been no match for our ancient ancestor, Australopithecus. Though Australopithecus stood 60 centimeters (2’0″) shorter, their punch force was unmatched. With a physiology similar to chimpanzees, who possess four times the muscle strength of humans, Australopithecus could deliver devastating blows. Chimps can deadlift 272 kilograms (600 lb), and one even pulled 572 kilograms (1,261 lb) with one hand. In a boxing ring, a chimp—or Australopithecus—wouldn’t need to knock out opponents; they’d simply toss them out. Their speed and agility would overwhelm even the likes of Klitschko.
5. Ancient Greeks vs. Jan Zelezny
Matthias de Zordo, a 24-year-old German and former world javelin champion, threw 86.27 meters (283 ft), far short of Jan Zelezny’s 1996 record of 98.48 meters (323.1 ft). Yet, even Zelezny couldn’t compete with ancient Greek javelin throwers, who reportedly hurled their javelins over 150 meters (492 ft). However, the Greeks used lighter javelins and a leather thong that added 10–25 percent to their throws.
In the 19th century, Dalleburra tribe men in Australia could throw hardwood spears 110 meters (361 ft) without assistance. Similarly, Turkana men in East Africa outthrew British javelin champion Lieutenant Colonel F. A. M. Webster in the early 1900s using traditional spears.
4. Mongol Archers vs. Viktor Ruban
Ukrainian archer Viktor Ruban secured gold in Beijing by landing five of his 12 arrows in the bull’s-eye from 70 meters (230 ft). However, Genghis Khan’s warriors, for whom archery was a matter of survival, could strike a small red flag from 150 meters (492 ft). One legendary Mongol archer shot a flying duck through the neck, while another reportedly hit a target 536 meters (1,759 ft) away.
In the 17th century, Carib archers could hit a half crown coin from 76 meters (250 ft). Modern Olympic archers train 40 hours weekly, but Mongol archers practiced 80 hours a week, starting at age two. Achieving elite status requires 10,000 hours of practice; by 17, Mongol archers had logged 64,000 hours. While today’s archers use advanced carbon-fiber bows with stabilizers, Mongol archers mastered shooting from horseback.
3. Tutsi Men vs. Javier Sotomayor
In 1993, high jumper Javier Sotomayor set a world record by clearing 2.45 meters (8’0″), a feat unmatched since. However, this pales in comparison to the daily jumps of Rwandan Tutsi men in the 19th century. For the Tutsi, high jumping wasn’t just about competition—it was a rite of passage. To be considered a man, one had to leap their own height, and many Tutsi men were exceptionally tall.
Tutsi men regularly jumped over 2 meters (6’7″), with one reportedly reaching 2.52 meters (8’3″)—without any formal training or techniques. If they had learned the Fosbury Flop, a modern high-jump maneuver that adds extra height, they could have cleared over 3 meters (9’10″). Their natural ability far surpassed even the best-trained athletes of today.
2. Mongol Riders vs. Javier Castellano
Javier Castellano, the highest-earning jockey of 2014, raked in over $25 million, following his $26 million earnings in 2013. However, Genghis Khan’s Mongol warriors, though not as wealthy, could outpace any modern jockey in a race. For these nomadic steppe dwellers, riding was second nature. A skilled warrior could cover 130 kilometers (81 mi) daily, navigating mountains and deserts. Genghis Khan relied on these riders to deliver messages across his vast empire. When Khublai Khan fell out of favor with the nomads, the Mongol Empire crumbled.
1. Neanderthals vs. Ilya Ilyin
Kazakhstan is known not only for inspiring quirky British comedians to don green speedos and sing about potassium but also for producing exceptional weightlifters. Ilya Ilyin, who clinched gold at the 2014 World Championships, is a prime example. However, even he would have been no match for a Neanderthal. With 20 percent more muscle mass than modern humans, male Neanderthals were 126–138 percent stronger. Ilyin’s 242-kilogram (534 lb) clean and jerk and 432-kilogram (952 lb) total lift would have been overshadowed by a Neanderthal’s potential 309-kilogram (681 lb) and 554-kilogram (1,221 lb) lifts, respectively.
In the women’s division, China’s Zhou Lulu set a world record with a 328-kilogram (723 lb) total lift in the 75-kilogram (165 lb) category. Yet, a female Neanderthal, 145 percent stronger than modern women and with 10 percent more body mass than the average European man, could have lifted 475 kilograms (1,047 lb)—surpassing even the men’s heaviest class records. Their shorter arms would have further enhanced their lifting capabilities.
