but the expected remaining lifespan for someone who has made it to (say) 40 hasn’t increased by much more than a decade since palaeolithic times
I’m pretty sure that’s too low—I remember consulting some table which put high medieval French adult life expectancy in the 50s, which would be 2 decades or so different rather than 1 decade.
Er… Yes. I’ve found this. So a 40-year-old in ancient Rome would have lived 23 more years in average, whereas the corresponding figure for the US in 2003 was 39.5 years.
I’m pretty sure that’s too low—I remember consulting some table which put high medieval French adult life expectancy in the 50s, which would be 2 decades or so different rather than 1 decade.
Er… Yes. I’ve found this. So a 40-year-old in ancient Rome would have lived 23 more years in average, whereas the corresponding figure for the US in 2003 was 39.5 years.
Don’t feel bad—you were at least informed enough not to give a ridiculous answer like ’40 years’.