Tag: Human history

For many, the routine of three square meals is an unquestioned daily practice, yet this dietary structure is a relatively recent development in human history. Evidence shows that the pattern of three meals a day was not the norm for the majority of human existence, challenging the notion that we have always eaten three times a day.

Evidence from Stone Age 'Venus' figurines, which often depict obese female forms, indicates that some form of obesity existed as far back as 30,000 years ago. However, this archaeological curiosity represents the exceptional rather than the norm, and modern scientific consensus debunks the myth of widespread fat cavemen.

Archaeological evidence shows that early human ancestors incorporated meat into their diet as far back as 2.6 million years ago, but this doesn't mean humans were always carnivorous. Our dietary history is a complex narrative of adaptation, revealing a far more opportunistic and omnivorous past than commonly assumed.

For nearly 2.5 million years, early humans lived as hunter-gatherers, consuming a diet that was highly dependent on their environment. This makes the variable prehistoric eating pattern, rather than a single fixed regimen, the foundation for what is often considered the oldest diet plan.

Over 2.5 million years ago, our hominin ancestors began incorporating meat and marrow into their diet, a significant shift from the largely plant-based diet of our primate relatives. This pivotal moment in history raises the question: were humans meant to be herbivores, or has a mixed diet always been central to our evolution?

While the world's population has increased significantly, with global food security being a major focus, the answer to what is the most important food in human history is not a single dish but a category of simple, humble crops. Examining the profound impact of staple foods reveals that cereal grains have been the cornerstone of human societies for millennia.