BBC Science Focus: Our ancestors weren’t carnivores, here’s what they actually ate

BBC Science Focus: Our ancestors weren’t carnivores, here’s what they actually ate

Ideas about what our ancestors ate are often misinterpreted, especially by promoters of modern trends like the “carnivore diet,” which suggests that people should consume only meat, eggs, and fat, completely excluding vegetables, fruits, grains, and other plant foods.

But according to an analysis published by BBC Science Focus, the idea that ancient humans were exclusively carnivorous is a myth, born out of gaps in the archaeological record. Animal bones and stone tools survive for thousands of years, while plant remains decay quickly. This has created a “false focus” on hunting and meat in the early scientific record.

What do modern studies show?

Today, thanks to isotope analysis of bone and tooth enamel, as well as microscopy of dental plaque, archaeologists can determine with greater precision what our ancestors consumed. The results paint a different picture than the carnivorous diet suggests.

In Morocco, about 15,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers consumed mainly plants, such as yams, thistles, chestnuts and wild cereals. Similar studies in modern-day indigenous communities, such as the Tsimané in the Amazon or Australian Aborigines, show that the majority of their calories come from plants – including bananas, cassava, nuts and edible roots.

The truth about the “Paleolithic diet”

In reality, there was no single “paleo diet.” Our ancestors lived in a variety of climatic and geographic zones—from tropical jungles to the Arctic—and their diets reflected this diversity.

In Sri Lanka they ate fruits and nuts, while the Inuit consumed blubber from seals and whales. What is certain is that the diet was diverse and closely linked to the surrounding nature.

Changes over time

Even if someone tried to “return” to a diet like that of their ancestors, it would be impossible. The foods back then were very different from those of today. Example: their peaches were the size of a cherry, their bananas had many seeds, and their carrots were white or purple, not orange.

Meanwhile, humans have also adapted. Populations that have consumed milk for centuries have developed the ability to digest lactose, while those that have eaten a lot of starchy foods have more enzymes to process it.

What is the lesson for today?

Today’s health problems are not related to plant consumption, but to the lack of diversity in the modern diet and the overreliance on processed foods like white bread, rice, and refined foods. The traditional diet of our ancestors, which was rich in fiber, seeds, nuts, and wild vegetables, was much healthier for the digestive system and the body in general.