Prehistoric Humans Likely Had a Carbohydrate-Rich Diet, New Study Reveals

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A groundbreaking study from Bar-Ilan University is challenging traditional views of early human diets. Contrary to the widespread belief that prehistoric humans predominantly consumed meat, the research suggests that early humans enjoyed a carbohydrate-rich diet derived from plants. These plants included nuts, tubers, roots, and other starchy foods. Moreover, the study reveals that our ancestors had the knowledge and tools to process these plant-based foods into forms suitable for consumption.

The study's findings stem from an analysis of microscopic particles found on 780,000-year-old basalt stone tools, discovered at the Gesher Benot Ya'akov archaeological site near the Jordan River in northern Israel. The tools, known as “maces and anvils,” were used to crack open and crush plants. This discovery marks the earliest evidence of humans processing plant foods, indicating that these early ancestors were not just gatherers but had developed sophisticated techniques for food preparation.

The site, rich in remains from the Acheulean culture of the early Stone Age, has provided valuable insight into the daily lives of prehistoric humans. Among the remains found were numerous stone tools, animal fossils, and plant debris. The recent study highlights that the Paleolithic people living at this site had developed a specialized technology to process starchy plants, requiring organized foraging, likely over long distances, and careful extraction of edible parts from various plants. Once extracted, the plants were likely mashed and perhaps even treated with fire to make them more digestible.

Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study challenges the commonly held assumption that early human diets were dominated by meat consumption. This belief was largely shaped by the prevalence of hunting tools and animal remains found at archaeological sites. However, the researchers of this study argue that plants played a much more significant role in the diets of our ancestors, which in turn suggests advanced cognitive and technological abilities in early humans.

These findings shed light on how prehistoric humans may have used their intelligence to survive in diverse environments. They were not only able to gather a wide range of plant species from various habitats but also had the cognitive capability to process these plants effectively. Using percussive tools, they cracked, mashed, and prepared plant foods that were rich in carbohydrates, showing that early human diets were likely a balanced combination of both meat and plant-based foods.

This new research offers a fresh perspective on the evolutionary history of human diets, emphasizing the role of plant-based foods and the importance of technological advancement in early human survival. It also opens the door to further research on the nutritional practices of our ancestors and their complex relationship with the environment.