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Neanderthals diet: 80% meat, 20% vegetables
ScienceDaily ^ | March 14, 2016 | Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum

Posted on 03/20/2016 5:22:11 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Scientists from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP) in Tübingen have studied the Neanderthals' diet. Based on the isotope composition in the collagen from the prehistoric humans' bones, they were able to show that, while the Neanderthals' diet consisted primarily of large plant eaters such at mammoths and rhinoceroses, it also included vegetarian food. The associated studies were recently published in the scientific journals Journal of Human Evolution and Quaternary International.

The paleo-diet is one of the new trends among nutrition-conscious people -- but what exactly did the meal plan of our extinct ancestors include? "We have taken a detailed look at the Neanderthals' diet," explains Professor Dr. Hervé Bocherens of the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen, and he continues, "In the process, we were able to determine that the extinct relatives of today's humans primarily fed on large herbivorous mammals such as mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses."

The two excavation sites in Belgium that were examined offered the international team of scientists led by the biogeologist from Tübingen a vast array of 45,000 to 40,000 year-old bones of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, wild horses, reindeer, European bison, cave hyenas, bears and lions as well as the remains of wolves. The immediate vicinity also revealed the bones of several Neanderthals. Based on isotope studies of the collagen in the bones, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the Neanderthals' diet differed markedly from that of other predatory animals. Collagen is an essential organic component of the connective tissue in bones, teeth, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and the skin.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: dietandcuisine; godsgravesglyphs; neandertal; neandertals; neanderthal; neanderthals; paleo; paleodiet
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To: G Larry

Trump eats lots of meat and very little vegetables and he seems to be healthy as a horse.


41 posted on 03/20/2016 7:23:27 PM PDT by flaglady47 (TRUMP ROCKS !!!)
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To: EvilCapitalist

Why yes. It appears to be a cumquat.


42 posted on 03/20/2016 7:56:13 PM PDT by Defiant (After 8 years of Chump Change, it's time for Trump Change!!)
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To: SunkenCiv

I’m cool with that but what was their life expectancy? 30?


43 posted on 03/20/2016 8:41:17 PM PDT by napscoordinator (Trump/Hunter, jr for President/Vice President 2016)
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To: SunkenCiv

Life without beer. Intolerable


44 posted on 03/20/2016 8:42:54 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The Paleo Diet seems to be well-founded in scientific data.

But the argument from what the “cavemen” ate is fallacious. Should be live in caves? Should we be wearing skins instead of cloth? Should we go without doctors, mathematicians, engineers, electricians?

I mean, what basis is there for the belief that the Neanderthals, who otherwise lived in what we would not even dignify with the name “grinding poverty,” were eating the healthiest diet possible?

BTW: I eat meat, cheese, fish, and non-starchy veggies. No white potatoes, no grains, no legumes.


45 posted on 03/20/2016 9:22:27 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: SunkenCiv

You need garnish for the rino burgers.


46 posted on 03/20/2016 10:14:51 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (The most vocal supporters of a good con man are the victims.)
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To: Mike Darancette

The fur on the woolies made for good roughage. Even cavemen had to keep regular, you know?


47 posted on 03/20/2016 11:08:19 PM PDT by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: SunkenCiv

Interesting about the lion and wolf bones. Wonder if they had evidence of having been butchered, or if they were there because the lions and wolves were eating the Neanderthals.

Also, wouldn’t it be a hoot if it were discovered that Neanderthals were the actual domesticators of wolves into dogs.

“It could happen!” — Judy Tenuta


48 posted on 03/21/2016 7:15:53 AM PDT by To Hell With Poverty (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. ~ JFK ~)
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To: To Hell With Poverty

It wouldn’t surprise me.


49 posted on 03/21/2016 8:01:24 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
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To: Mike Darancette

And the really big rolls.


50 posted on 03/21/2016 9:03:53 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
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To: dp0622

So is mine...UGG


51 posted on 03/21/2016 11:39:32 AM PDT by Gator113 (~~Go Trump, GO!!~~ Just livin' life my way. Don't worry, everything's gonna be alright.)
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