The Starch-Fueled Lives of Early Humans

New Evidence Suggests Ancient Diets Were Rich in Plant-Based Foods

Along the banks of the Jordan River, near northern Israel’s Hula Valley, a fascinating chapter of human history has emerged. Recent research at the 780,000-year-old Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya’akov reveals that early humans relied heavily on starchy plant foods, challenging long-held assumptions about the dominance of animal protein in prehistoric diets.

A stone anvil (left) and hammerstone (right) used for processing plants. Credit: Gesher Benot Ya'akov team

Beyond the “Paleo” Diet Myth

For decades, popular interpretations of ancient human diets have centered on meat consumption, perpetuated by the so-called “paleo” diet narrative. But the latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences¹ (PNAS), suggests a more diverse menu, emphasizing the significant role of plants such as acorns, legumes, cereals, and aquatic vegetation.