Unfortunate in the sense that these ancient traditions included some ingenious solutions to some pressing current problems. In fact, the survival of civilization may depend on us discovering and adopting some of these ancient juridical imperatives. Another way to view customary law is to look closely at human interaction. Language is often called primary, but it is just one of many of the body's capabilities. More deep than language, law codes are operative amongst both birds and mammals.
Birds are monogamous, live as s.
But they do not hesitate to flock together to systematically pick a lawn over. These laws of assembly are not just instinct. Or, if it is instinct, it is intelligent, highly intelligent. The brain needs some security, otherwise the adrenaline seriously affect it. Societies of whatever size need security, stability, harmony, which means a society must evolve some protection against predatory behaviors, inside or out.