Archaeologists have long debated the diet and hunting habits of the Clovis people, who lived around 13,000 years ago. A new chemical analysis suggests that these ancient people were indeed experienced mammoth hunters. Researchers analyzed the remains of an 18-month-old male called Anzick-1 found in Montana, which provided direct evidence of their dietary habits.
The team compared the isotope values of carbon and nitrogen in the child’s bones to those of his mother, as she was likely still nursing him at the time. The results showed that mammoths contributed 35-40% to her diet, with elk, bison, and camel making up much less. Small mammals accounted for only 4% of her intake.
The percentages reflect a year’s worth of dietary information, rather than a single meal. Since Clovis people shared similar behaviors and equipment across western North America, it’s likely that others had similar diets too. This study suggests that mammoth hunting was a significant part of the Clovis tradition.
However, some researchers are cautious, pointing out that this is just a single skeleton and more evidence is needed to make sweeping assumptions about their habits. Despite this, the discovery provides a significant breakthrough in understanding the diet and lifestyle of these ancient North Americans.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dietary-clovis-hunters-mammoth-killers