Hunter-gatherers show that they ate many plant-based foods.

2024/05/17 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Eboluzioa
• Arkeologia
• Botanika

Research at the Tarofalt cave site in Morocco has shown that, even before the creation of agriculture, plant-based foods were basic in the diet of the humans who lived there. The site, about 12,000-15,000 years ago, contains fossils of about 80 humans, remains of a large number of fauna and murals, including paintings depicting ostrich hunting.

In the current investigation, the inhabitants of Taforalt wanted to know what they ate. For this purpose, zinc isotopes and strontium from human dental enamel have been analyzed, as well as amino acids from human and faunal remains. Archaeological remains have also been found: acorns, pine nuts and wild legumes.

Researchers conclude that the diet of these hunter-gatherers had quite a few Mediterranean plants. And they've also suggested that they would feed kids plant-based food, if necessary, to help them quit.

According to researchers, the results are very useful to better understand the transition between hunter-gatherers and farmers and to have a more comprehensive view of human evolution.