What did our ancient ancestors eat? New study reveals the Natufian menu
A new archaeological study, recently published in the scientific journal PNAS, sheds new light on the dietary habits of the Natufian culture that lived in our region about 15,000 years ago. The findings provide a fascinating glimpse into how humans lived and fed themselves in the prehistoric era.
Researchers examined findings collected at various archaeological sites and discovered that the Natufians did not rely solely on hunting large animals or gathering plants. From a careful analysis of bones found in the field, it became clear that they systematically consumed reptiles as an integral part of their daily diet.
The key evidence for this conclusion came from the identification of clear cut marks on reptile vertebrae found at these sites. These marks indicate that the Natufians knew how to process reptiles for food and used them as an available and important source of protein for thousands of years.
These findings are very important for understanding the history of our region, as they show how ancient humans adapted to their environment and utilized the natural resources available to them efficiently. The study highlights the ability of the Natufian culture to diversify their food sources in order to survive and thrive in the changing conditions of the period.