Researchers suggest some Paleolithic people ate a menu that emphasized ‘gatherer’ over ‘hunter.’
Pop culture often associates “cave men” with meat eaters. So researchers investigating people who lived in a Moroccan cave 13,000 years to 15,000 years ago were somewhat surprised to find the extent to which they relied on a plant-based diet, according to aThe findings may move up the time when agriculture became favored over hunting and gathering — or at least provide a clearer picture of the transition.
For instance, although the site — Taforalt — didn’t reveal any sign of actual farming, it did provide evidence that people living there then selectively harvested some wild crops and also stored them. These practices were agricultural precursors.The researchers were able to investigate the kind of food the Taforalt cave dwellers ate by analyzing the isotopes of minerals found in teeth, bones, and other material at the site. They also investigated amino acids in human and faunal remains.
The team next intends to investigate other Paleolithic sites in North Africa to learn more about how ancient dietary practices impacted evolution.use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
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