On 2/15/04 5:11 PM, in article ,
"Michel Boucher" > wrote:

> Europeans had longer lifespans. My ancestor who arrived here in 1634
> died at the age of 82, his wife at the age of 84 and many others of
> his contemporaries lived well into their 80's.

It was not until the more recent era that lifespans became increased - you
ancestor and that crew were quite an exception, though through basic hygiene
lifespans reaches about 40-55 or so, previously it was unusual for someone
to last that long given disease, etc.

Still, the life of a primitive person is nasty brutish and short.