At Historyen, we’re dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest insights into the fascinating world of archaeology. And today, we’re thrilled to share with you a groundbreaking discovery that sheds new light on the diets of ancient humans: it turns out that our ancestors were chowing down on giant snails over 170,000 years ago!
Yes, you read that right: deviant, enormous snails were on the menu for early humans, according to new research published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews. This remarkable finding comes from a study of fossils found in the Israeli Carmel region, which reveal that our ancient relatives were regularly eating mollusks that were up to 18 centimeters in length.
So how did researchers come to this remarkable conclusion that, ancient humans ate giant snails? Well, the team analyzed the remains of the giant snails found at the site, as well as the stone tools that early humans would have used to crack open their shells. This allowed them to determine with a high degree of confidence that these mollusks were indeed a regular part of the human diet in the region.
But why were these snails such an appealing food source for our ancient ancestors why ancient humans ate giant snails? One possibility is that they were simply abundant and easy to catch. Another is that they provided an important source of protein and other nutrients in a region where other food sources may have been scarce.
Of course, this discovery raises all sorts of new questions about the diets and lifestyles of early humans. What other types of food did they eat? How did they hunt and gather their meals? And what other surprises might be waiting to be uncovered in the archaeological record?
As always, here at Historyen, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the latest research and developments in the field of archaeology. So stay tuned for more exciting updates and discoveries, and in the meantime, be sure to check out our other fascinating articles and resources!
