Tag: Early human diet

Earliest archaeological evidence from Ethiopia indicates our ancestors were butchering animals with stone tools as far back as 2.6 million years ago. This initial foray into carnivory marks the beginning of the long evolutionary journey to understand when did eating meat become common.

Recent archaeological findings at the site of Gesher Benot Ya’akov suggest early humans were processing and consuming a wide variety of starchy plants as far back as 780,000 years ago. This discovery fundamentally challenges the long-held assumption that prehistoric diets consisted almost exclusively of meat. Far from a meat-only regimen, early hominids developed sophisticated methods for processing and enjoying plant-based foods, fundamentally altering our understanding of human nutrition and evolution.

Archaeological evidence, including cut marks on bones and fossilized dental plaque, indicates that early humans consumed raw meat for millions of years before the regular use of fire. So, how were early humans able to eat raw meat without falling gravely ill or lacking the energy needed for survival? The answer lies in a combination of mechanical processing with tools, specific anatomical adaptations, and unique dietary strategies that made a raw diet viable.

The earliest evidence for hominin meat consumption using tools dates back 3.4 million years ago, indicating an important dietary transition. But before this, what were the first foods eaten by humans and their hominid predecessors, and how did these choices shape our evolution?

While the popular "Paleo diet" is a modern construct, archaeological evidence and analysis of dental plaque reveal that Paleolithic humans consumed a vast and varied diet, not just lean meat. Their nutrition was directly shaped by what could be hunted, fished, or gathered in their specific region and climate, making the question of what kind of food did the Paleolithic eat far more complex than it might seem.

Recent analysis of Neanderthal dental calculus revealed a diverse diet including plants like date palms, legumes, and seeds, challenging the simplistic portrayal of a raw, meat-heavy menu. To truly understand what did early humans eat for lunch, one must look at the highly adaptable and geographically varied diets of our prehistoric ancestors.

Recent scientific research, including studies on fossilized dental plaque, indicates that early humans consumed starchy carbohydrates, challenging the popular notion of a strictly low-carb Paleolithic diet. Instead of relying solely on meat, our ancient ancestors utilized roots, tubers, and other plant-based sources to fuel their active lifestyles and evolving brains.

Over 2 million years ago, early hominids began incorporating significant amounts of meat and marrow into their diets, a key shift from their primarily herbivorous primate ancestors. When hunger struck, early humans relied on an omnivorous, highly adaptable diet that changed based on their environment, the season, and their access to tools. Their meals were a direct reflection of what they could hunt, gather, or scavenge from the wild.

Over the last 2.8 million years, the human diet has undergone a dynamic evolution, diverging dramatically from our closest primate relatives. This shift wasn't a linear progression but a complex adaptation involving meat consumption, cooking, and eventual agriculture. The answer to what humans were "originally" made to eat is not a single food but a broad, omnivorous approach shaped by changing environments and technological advancements.

For decades, the popular "Paleo diet" has promoted the idea that our prehistoric ancestors avoided grains, but emerging archaeological evidence from ancient teeth and tools is telling a different story. These findings confirm that early humans and even Neanderthals consumed wild cereals and starchy plants as a vital food source.