The Overlooked Role of Insects in Prehistoric Human Diets
Archaeological evidence suggests insects were a consistent, nutritious food source for early humans.
1Historical Misconceptions of Diet
Modern perceptions often view insect consumption as a cultural curiosity or a sign of primitive behavior. However, entomologist Friedrich Simon Bodenheimer noted as early as 1951 that insects were historically significant food sources. Despite this, Western societies largely categorize insect-eating as disgusting, ignoring its long-standing role in diverse human civilizations globally.
2The Challenge of Evidence
Archaeologists frequently overlook insect remains at excavation sites, often misidentifying them as modern contamination or pests. Lisa-Marie Shillito, an expert in ancient coprolites, notes that fossilized human waste is rarely collected systematically. These samples are difficult to recognize and distinguish from clay, leading to a significant gap in our dietary records.
3Evidence from Ancient Coprolites
Research published in World Archaeology on October 27 highlights widespread prehistoric entomophagy. At the Paisley Caves in Oregon, dating back 14,300 years, researchers identified remains of ten-lined June beetles and Jerusalem crickets. These findings suggest that early inhabitants of the Americas actively consumed large, protein-rich insects as part of their regular diet.
4Global Patterns of Consumption
Evidence of insect consumption spans continents, from the Bonneville Estates Rockshelter in Nevada to Cloggs Cave in Australia. Australian Indigenous peoples utilized bogong moths, evidenced by 2,000-year-old grindstones. Meanwhile, Nigerian and Egyptian pottery vessels from 3,500 to 8,000 years ago contain lipid traces indicating the consumption of honey and bee larvae.
5Primate Ancestry and Evolution
Non-human primates, our closest living relatives, regularly consume insects for their high protein-to-fat ratio. This behavioral trait likely persisted through human evolution. Studies of bone tools in South Africa, dating over 1 million years old, suggest that early hominins like Paranthropus used specialized implements to extract termites from mounds for consumption.
6Isotopic Clues in Remains
Isotopic data from early Homo specimens indicate a varied diet that included animal material. Recent re-examinations of Neanderthal bones, which show high nitrogen-15 levels, suggest they may have consumed maggots found on decaying meat. This challenges the hyper-carnivore theory, pointing instead toward a more opportunistic and diverse nutritional strategy for ancient humans.
7Hypothesizing Early Gathering
Julie Lesnik, author of Edible Insects and Human Evolution, proposes that insects were an ideal, low-risk food source for early humans. She suggests that mothers could have gathered these abundant resources while caring for infants. While the assumption regarding gendered labor roles remains debated, the nutritional accessibility of insects remains a compelling evolutionary hypothesis.
8Rethinking the Paleo Diet
The modern 'paleo diet' trend often emphasizes red meat while ignoring the historical reality of insect consumption. If we are to truly emulate the dietary habits of our ancestors, grasshoppers and beetles should be on the menu. Insects provided essential nutrients that were likely seasonal, filling gaps in the prehistoric food supply.
9Future Research Directions
While the environmental and nutritional benefits of insects are frequently discussed in modern media, they remain absent from mainstream Western diets. Researchers like Shillito now aim to study entomophagy more systematically to understand its temporal and geographic variations. We must move past the cycle of rediscovering and being surprised by this practice.
Original article: New Scientist — The Overlooked Role of Insects in Prehistoric Human Diets