World's Oldest Profession

[Grefin]

What could be the worlds oldest profession?

My idea: prostitution is the oldest profession, started when women realized that they could make money by screwing men. Men rebounded, creating the second oldest profession, the law, where they could make money by screwing everyone.​

 

[Johnnybehorny]

There was a doctor, a civil engineer, and a computer scientist sitting around late one evening, and they got to discussing which was the oldest profession.

The doctor pointed out that according to Biblical tradition, God created Eve from Adam's rib. This obviously required surgery, so therefore that was the oldest profession in the world.

The engineer countered with an earlier passage in the Bible that stated that God created order from the chaos, and that was most certainly the biggest and best civil engineering example ever, and also proved that his profession was the oldest profession.

The computer scientist leaned back in her chair, and with a sly smile responded, "Yes, but who do you think created the chaos?"

 

[Beenthere123]

What could be the worlds oldest profession?

My idea: prostitution is the oldest profession, started when women realized that they could make money by screwing men. Men rebounded, creating the second oldest profession, the law, where they could make money by screwing everyone.​

:great: :666:

 

[Mineshaft]

I'd say hunter is the oldest profession. Hunters go all the way back to the good ol' caveman days. Although I'll admit the term "profession" would have to be applied rather loosely. :tongue:

 

[Mineshaft]

Hunter followed by gatherer, then farmer.
Back then there were no prostitutes. People just got fucked. arty:


(Actually not sure which came first: the hunter or the gatherer.)

 

[Lauren Summerhill]

Hunter followed by gatherer, then farmer.
Back then there were no prostitutes. People just got fucked. arty:


(Actually not sure which came first: the hunter or the gatherer.)

Not true, there are animals (monkeys and penguins) that will provide sex for food or shelter supplies. So if she's offering sexual pleasure in exchange for valued items it can still be considered an act of prostitution. There was a period of time where a type of shell was used in the same fashion that we use money today. So, even while we still caves dwellers "sex work" was a possibility. I would even guess it was probably more commonly acceptable. Consider that there was no marriage, the concept of live long relationships likely didn't play a role, and religious control over sexuality probably did not yet exist. It may have been far more common in prehistory than today.

I would add to the list of old professions: Priest/Teacher/Healer (often the role of oen person) and Community Leader. Not only were these considered valuable individuals, but things like pelts, jewelry or other valued items are given to them. We see evidence of this in anthropological studies of primitive cultures - ones that still exists and ones that were extinct but studied by our ancestors.

Also take into consideration that in the Code of Hammurabi a fucked up eye surgery could mean the surgeon would have his eye removed - the literal Eye For An Eye. If they had eye surgery around 1790 BC, we can assume earlier ancestors also had some form of medical attendants.

Yet another that can be noted is "Bard". Story tellers are extremely valuable to cultures without writing. Oral history is the way they pass on information from one generation to another, it's also a central form of entertainment.

 

[Hardcore]

What could be the worlds oldest profession?​

My idea: prostitution is the oldest profession, started when women realized that they could make money by screwing men. Men rebounded, creating the second oldest profession, the law, where they could make money by screwing everyone.​

very true

 

[Mineshaft]

Can I change my previous answer? The world's oldest profession is being a deity (i.e. God).

 

[Grefin]

People joke that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. Prostitution may be a candidate for one of the oldest professions but is not the oldest profession in the World. Several professions vie for that number.


Human beings share 95% -99% of their DNA sequences with chimpanzees. Zoologists and other researchers have observed . Archeologists theorize that early hominids were using simple tools around 7 to 5 million yrs ago. Hominids are the ancestors of Homo sapiens. These would have been very simple unaltered tools sticks. There is evidence to suggest that hominids were using modified bones as tools and weapons up to 3.5 million years ago, it is also likely that they used tools made from wood.

The earliest flint tools were made and used by homo habillis. The found at Gona, in Ethiopia, dated by new dating techniques as being 2.3 million years old ago. These were slightly modified flint flakes with sharp edges. Therefore, one of the world’s oldest professions was a toolmaker, or flint knapper. Homo habillis used these simple stone tools in various ways.
Some experts believe that homo habillis ate fish. of chewed fish bones were found indicating this to be true. Therefore, one of the earliest professions was that of a fisherman. Homo habillis lived a nomadic lifestyle and, whilst he did not hunt meat, he did scavenge from the kills of other animals. He would have had to have his wits about him and be ready to run or throw stones to defend himself and his family from animals that would eat him. Homo habillis gathered fruit and vegetable food. Homo habillis would need his or hands free in order to do all these things. Therefore, it is arguable that homo habillis made rush or reed baskets. One of the oldest professions in the world is that of a basket weaver.


Female hominids may have given sexual favour for food but early hominid males were much larger than females. In primates today, where males are bigger than females, females rarely have any choice in the matter of mating. It is arguable that early females had no choice either and that prostitution did not begin as early as some other professions.


Prostitution may be one of the world’s oldest professions but it is not the oldest profession. Experts, such as paleo-biologists, archeologists and other experts find more each day about our ancestors and their lives. It is likely that other professions will be added to the list of the World’s oldest professions.


M. Collins