# The Overlooked Role of Insects in Prehistoric Human Diets Archaeological evidence suggests insects were a consistent, nutritious food source for early humans. - **Source:** [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/41b4dde6-900c-4a49-b1d0-d0343fb92fb8 ## Historical 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. ## The 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. ## Evidence 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. ## Global 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. ## Primate 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. ## Isotopic 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. ## Hypothesizing 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. ## Rethinking 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. ## Future 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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.newscientist.com/article/2598048-a-true-paleo-diet-would-include-a-lot-more-insects/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._