Recent research by archaeologists Anna Florin from the Australian National University and Monica Ramsey from the University of Toronto Mississauga challenges popular perceptions of the Paleo diet. In fact, early humans’ diets were much more varied than most of us give them credit for. This upends the meat worshipping stories usually pushed by the pro-meat establishment in today’s society.
The Paleolithic epoch began around three million years ago and extended until roughly 12,000 years ago. For women as for all humans, during this stretch of time, it was gathering, along with hunting, that provided the food. This time period is well known for its stone tools, which is how we get the name “Paleo” era—“Paleo” means old and “lithic” means stone. It was succeeded by the Neolithic revolution that brought agriculture and radically changed human diets forever.
Florin and Ramsey delved deeply into their research, particularly focusing on large archaeological sites. They visited sites such as Madjebdobe in Australia, the Niah Caves of Borneo, and Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. Their findings indicate that early humans were not strictly carnivorous but rather omnivores who consumed a wide variety of foods.
“Much of this is really rooted in pop culture,” said Florin. He warned that academic or popular interpretations of the Paleo diet quickly lose track of the historical context.
The belief that our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate mostly meat is a misconception propagated through oversimplified media narratives—not from the evidence represented by the archaeological record. Rather, these studies show that our ancestors ate a much more plant-based diet. We are not carnivores, and we’ve never been at any moment in our evolution,” Florin declared. His work underscored the dire need to rethink how we picture early human diets.
Contrary to the popularized version of a single Paleo diet, the researchers claim that there is no single correct way to eat. Instead, it features dozens of diverse diets molded by their unique habitats. It’s not one diet, and it’s certainly not meat heavy,” Florin said. That point of view would seem to reinforce Ramsey’s claim. He argues, “Our species evolved as plant-loving, tool-using foodies who could transform virtually anything edible into dinner.” This flexibility made early humans incredibly successful in different environments.
Looking at recent archaeological finds of roasting pits, Florin and Ramsey’s study focuses on ancient cooking techniques that expanded some of the earliest human diets. This technique has been practiced for thousands of years. Ancient peoples would char palm fruits, then roast them overnight. After that, they pounded the starchy bits to produce a very rich carbohydrate food source. Then you have this beautiful carbohydrate-rich food, and that’s what’s getting consumed.” Florin explained further on this approach.
The implications of this research go far past our lunchroom plates, they call into question a number of ingrained prejudices towards the lifestyles of early peoples. “It’s this research happening all around the world that’s really pushing back against that stereotype of a Paleolithic meat eater,” Florin remarked.
