US EditionRe-creating the complex cuisine of prehistoric Europeans
The study found hunter-gatherers combined aquatic foods with at least 58 types of plants in pottery, revealing complex Mesolithic culinary traditions across Northern and Eastern Europe.
- Published March 4, the study led by Dr Lara González Carretero of the University of York found residues showing Mesolithic communities prepared varied meals combining seafood with grasses, berries, and roots.
- Using scanning electron microscopy and replica-pot experiments, the team found plant tissues in charred residues overlooked by fatty-residue analysis, highlighting methodological limits.
- The team analysed 85 foodcrust-laden pottery pieces from 13 archaeological sites and found plant remains in 58 shards, including wild grasses, legumes, berries, leafy greens, roots and tubers; the crusts reflect only the last two or three cooking events.
- The researchers say the study reshapes views of Mesolithic diets, and they plan to extend work across larger geographic areas and longer time periods.
- Regional contrasts show Don River basin pots combined wild legumes and grasses with freshwater fish, while Upper Volga and Dnieper‑Dvina regions contained guelder rose berries, which became sweeter when cooked with fish.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Stone Age chefs surprisingly talented cooks who ate 'complex cuisines', study reveals
It turns out our Stone Age ancestors were far more sophisticated than we ever imagined.A fascinating new study led by the University of York has found families living in Britain and Europe between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago enjoyed "surprisingly complex" cuisine.These ancient cooks were not just munching on raw meat and berries – they were actually crafting elaborate meals with real skill.The research shows prehistoric Europeans combined fish, me…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Pottery remains reveal secrets of ancient Europeans’ surprisingly complex diet
Plants and aquatic foods played key role in diets of early hunter gatherers
Charred pot residues reveal prehistoric Europeans' surprisingly complex cuisines
Thousands of years ago, European communities used a variety of plant and animal products to create elaborate meals, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Lara González Carretero of the University of York, U.K. and colleagues.
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