For decades, the popular image of a Paleolithic human has been one of a burly hunter feasting on mammoth steaks. However, a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution challenges this stereotype, revealing that plants, not meat, were the primary source of protein for a group of Stone Age hunter-gatherers.
The study focused on the Iberomaurusians, a group who lived in what is now Morocco between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago. Researchers analyzed chemical signatures preserved in the bones and teeth of seven Iberomaurusians.
The analysis, led by Zineb Moubtahij, a doctoral student co-affiliated with research institutes in France and Germany, showed a surprising result: "Our analysis...showed that these hunter-gatherer groups included an important amount of plant matter in their diet, which changed our understanding of the diet of pre-agricultural populations."
The findings suggest that the Iberomaurusians consumed a level of plant protein comparable to early farmers in the Levant region, where agriculture originated. This raises questions about the transition from hunting and gathering to farming practices across different populations.
The study also detected a higher prevalence of tooth cavities in the Iberomaurusians compared to typical hunter-gatherer remains. This suggests a diet rich in "fermentable starchy plants" such as wild cereals or acorns.
"While not all individuals primarily obtained their proteins from plants at Taforalt," explains co-author Klervia Jaouen, "it is unusual to document such a high proportion of plants in the diet of a pre-agricultural population."
Jaouen further highlights the significance of the study: "This is likely the first time such a significant plant-based component in a Paleolithic diet has been documented using isotope techniques."
The research sheds new light on the eating habits of our Paleolithic ancestors. It highlights the importance of plants in their diet and challenges the popular perception of Stone Age humans as solely reliant on meat. The study also opens doors for further investigation into the development of agriculture and its varying impacts on different populations.
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Source: CNN
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