FWIW, isn't the 50% figure the usual guesstimate for dependants, that is children and elderly. In addition, Checking with current US census statistics
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/demoprofile.html
reveals that current percentage of children are at about the 30% mark, which leads me to wonder whether Roman population figures represent a level of civilization that exceeds the culture we are talking about.
Nick, any clues why the percentage figure should have remainded static to the 20C - higher infant mortality rates absorbing the increased number of births?
"They were seven in all, and therewithal both sides rushed into the fight. Thorarin slew a house-carle of Thorbiorn's, and Alfgeir another, and there fell also a housecarle of Thorarin's; but no weapons would bite on Odd Katlason. Now the goodwife Aud calls out on her women to part them, and they cast clothes over the weapons." The Story Of The Ere-Dwellers Chapter 18
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