A recent study challenges the conventional belief that meat played a significant role in the diet of hunter-gatherers before the Neolithic transition. The study, conducted by an international team of scientists, provides compelling evidence of a strong preference for plants among 15,000-year-old hunter-gatherers from Morocco. Through a multi-isotopic approach, the researchers found that these ancient populations consumed a significant amount of plants, including Mediterranean species, long before the advent of agriculture in the region. This discovery sheds new light on the dietary practices of pre-agricultural human groups and raises questions about the lack of agricultural development in North Africa at the beginning of the Holocene.
The study, which examined individuals associated with the Iberomaurusian culture discovered in the cave of Taforalt, Morocco, utilized zinc and strontium isotope analysis in dental enamel, as well as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur analysis in collagen to uncover insights into ancient dietary practices. Additionally, amino acid analysis of human and faunal remains provided further evidence of a plant-based diet among these hunter-gatherers. Archaeobotanical remains found at the site, such as acorns, pine nuts, and wild pulses, support the conclusion that plant foods were a significant part of their diet.
The findings of this study challenge the prevailing notion of a diet heavily based on animal protein among pre-agricultural human groups and suggest a more complex dietary practice than previously thought. The inclusion of plant foods in infant diets and their potential role as weaning products indicate a different subsistence strategy than what was previously believed for hunter-gatherer societies. Understanding these patterns is crucial to unraveling the broader story of human evolution and highlights the complexity of human subsistence strategies in different regions.
Zineb Moubtahij, the first author of the study, emphasizes the importance of these findings in providing insights into the dietary practices of pre-agricultural human groups and the complexity of human subsistence strategies. The study is also significant as it is the first to use zinc isotopes preserved in enamel to determine the diet of ancient populations in Africa. Moving forward, the research team aims to explore additional Paleolithic sites in North Africa and utilize innovative techniques to gain a deeper understanding of ancient dietary practices and their implications for human evolution.
North Africa is a key region for the study of human evolution and modern human dispersal, making the findings of this study particularly relevant. The ability to explore human diet deep in time in this region using zinc isotopes will provide valuable insights into human dietary patterns and adaptability in different environments. By delving into the dietary practices of pre-agricultural societies, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the broader story of human evolution and shed light on the complexities of human subsistence strategies in different regions. Further research at Paleolithic sites in North Africa will continue to expand our knowledge of ancient dietary practices and their implications for human evolution.
