Posted on 09/06/2002 3:25:41 PM PDT by blam
Prehistoric Brits Ate Like Wolves
By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News
Sep. 5 — The 7,700-year-old remains of a woman, nicknamed the Lady of Trent, reveal that she ate nearly as much meat as a wolf, according to a press release from the Archaeological Consultancy of the University of Sheffield in England.
The finding suggests meat played a more important role in the diet of Middle Stone Age, or Mesolithic (about 10,000-5,000 years ago) humans in the region that is now England than previously thought. Before now, it was thought that even meat eaters rounded out their diet with gatherer fare, like vegetables and nuts, and fish and shellfish, according to the report, released last week.
A thighbone belonging to the Lady of Trent became the focus of study when the fairly well- preserved bone was found in a dried-up channel of the River Trent. Scientists at Bradford University measured the bone for nitrogen and carbon levels. From the measurements it was determined that this lady was quite a carnivore. Glyn Davies, senior project archaeologist at the Archaeological Consultancy, explained, "The results of the testing gave a (nitrogen) figure of 9.3 for the human bone. As a comparison, cattle would have a figure of about 6 and a carnivore like a wolf would give a figure of around 10."
He added, "This suggests that the individual here had a very high proportion of meat in (her) diet."
Supporting his conclusion were several animal bones found near the human remains. One was a bone, which had cut marks most likely from butchering and skinning, according to Davies. Additionally, a wild cattle vertebra was found, along with two ribs from large mammals, such as other deer or cattle, which also possessed cut marks from defleshing.
Debate still exists as to whether or not prehistoric Europeans moved between coastal and inland sites, Davies said. However, since the Lady of Trent hadn't enjoyed a fish dinner for many years, her reliance on meat suggests Stone Age humans may have stayed put more often than thought.
Andrew Myers, an archaeologist with the Derbyshire County Council who has recently undertaken a review of the Mesolithic in England's east Midlands, was not entirely surprised "that terrestrial animals provided the main source of dietary protein."
But he was astonished by the extent to which land meats dominated over other potential sources, like vegetable and nut proteins.
Myers agreed with Davies that the Lady of Trent's meat-heavy diet indicates Mesolithic man may have been less nomadic than previously believed.
"If (the Lady of Trent's) movements were so restricted that she had not been to coastal areas (for the last 10-12 years of her life)," said Myers, "this could suggest that the differing dietary strategies of inland and coastal groups may have been reinforced or sustained by some degree of group territoriality."
;-)
My (ex) mother in law was from Blackpool. Her daughter couldn't cook either.
It's what's for dinner!
Dang, there I go again, now I'm hungry
MMMmm.. backstrap & ribs.. I'm suddenly contemplating firing up the grill..
I like it, hee, hee.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.