A recent study published in the journal Science has found no evidence of meat consumption in early human ancestors, known as Australopithecus, whose fossils were discovered at a site in South Africa. The researchers used nitrogen isotope analysis to determine the diet of the individuals studied, and their findings suggest that they were primarily vegetarian.
The study’s lead author, Tina Lüdecke, explains that the method used to analyze the tooth enamel allowed for a more precise understanding of the diet of these early humans. “This method opens up exciting possibilities for understanding human evolution,” she says. “It has the potential to answer crucial questions, such as when did our ancestors begin to incorporate meat in their diet?”
The researchers also plan to expand their research, collecting data from other key sites and species to explore the origins of meat consumption in early humans.
Some critics have argued that this study is not groundbreaking and that similar findings can be found in earlier studies. Others have pointed out that scavenging evidence contradicts the study’s conclusions. However, others claim that the Bible agrees with this research.
It’s worth noting that humans are generally considered omnivores, with a diet that includes both plant-based and animal-based foods. However, the findings of this study suggest that early human ancestors may have had a more limited diet that was primarily vegetarian.
The study’s authors emphasize the importance of their research, saying that it provides clear evidence that meat consumption was not significant in the diet of these early humans.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/rewriting-prehistory-archaeologists-have-discovered-that-our-ancient-ancestors-were-vegetarian