Early Europeans ate seaweed for thousands of years (smithsonianmag.com)

Article summary

Researchers have found evidence that early Europeans ate seaweed and other aquatic plants for thousands of years, by analyzing fossilized dental plaque from 74 individuals at 28 archaeological sites. The discovery suggests that early humans consumed seaweed from the Mesolithic period to the early Middle Ages. This challenges the assumption that the introduction of farming during the Neolithic era led to the abandonment of seafood in the diet. The study's findings indicate that seaweed was a part of the early European diet, potentially due to its nutritional benefits.

Main themes

• seaweed consumption
• early European diet
• Neolithic era
• farming and nutrition
• dental plaque analysis
• ancient food sources
• nutritional benefits of seaweed

What commenters say

• The discovery of seaweed consumption in early Europeans is not surprising, given its nutritional value and availability.
• Seaweed may have been a staple food in some early European communities, providing essential nutrients like iodine.
• It is unlikely that early Europeans relied solely on seaweed as a food source, as it would have led to nutritional deficiencies.
• The introduction of farming during the Neolithic era may have led to a decline in seaweed consumption, potentially due to cultural changes.
• Some commenters argue that the biomarkers found in the dental plaque could have come from eating fish that consumed seaweed, rather than direct seaweed consumption.
• Others suggest that the study's findings may be limited by the lack of information on the specific biomarkers used and their resistance to digestion.
• The discovery of seaweed consumption in early Europeans highlights the importance of considering the role of seafood in the diet of ancient communities.
• The study's findings may have implications for modern diets, with some arguing that seaweed could be a valuable addition to contemporary nutrition.