Conducted by an international team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, Géoscience et Environnement Toulouse in Toulouse, France, and the Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine in Rabat, Morocco, the study delves into the dietary habits of individuals associated with the Iberomaurusian culture, discovered in the cave of Taforalt, Morocco. Employing a comprehensive multi-isotopic approach encompassing zinc and strontium isotope analysis in dental enamel, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur analysis in collagen, as well as amino acid analysis of human and faunal remains, the researchers unearthed intriguing revelations about ancient dietary practices.
The study’s groundbreaking findings reveal that the diet of these hunter-gatherers was significantly plant-based, incorporating a notable portion of plants from Mediterranean species. This dietary pattern predates the onset of agriculture in the region by several millennia, a fact supported by the discovery of archaeobotanical remnants at the site, including acorns, pine nuts, and wild pulses. The research also suggests that plant-based foods were part of infant diets, potentially serving as weaning products. These discoveries challenge previous assumptions about pre-agricultural diets and offer new insights into the dietary practices of ancient communities.
This study disrupts the prevailing assumption that pre-agricultural human groups were heavily reliant on animal protein, raising questions about the absence of agricultural advancement in North Africa at the outset of the Holocene. Zineb Moubtahij, the study’s lead author, asserts, “Our findings not only shed light on the dietary habits of pre-agricultural human groups but also highlight the intricate nature of human subsistence strategies across different regions. Grasping these dynamics is crucial for comprehending the broader narrative of human evolution.”
Moreover, this study represents the pioneering use of zinc isotopes preserved in enamel to elucidate the diet of ancient populations in Africa. North Africa is a pivotal region for the study of human evolution and the dispersal of modern humans. The availability of a tool enabling the exploration of ancient dietary patterns in this region over extended periods holds immense value in understanding human dietary adaptations across diverse environments.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to investigate additional Paleolithic sites in North Africa and employ innovative methodologies to gain deeper insights into ancient dietary practices and their implications for human evolution.
More information: Zineb Moubtahij et al, Isotopic evidence of high reliance on plant food among Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers at Taforalt, Morocco, Nature Ecology & Evolution. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02382-z
Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Provided by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
