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Lots of hunting. Not much gathering. The diet of early Americans

The article from *The Economist* discusses recent archaeological findings that challenge the traditional view of the diet of early Americans. Contrary to the long-held belief that ancient humans in the Americas had a diet balanced between hunting and gathering, new evidence suggests that these populations were predominantly hunters. Analysis of remains from various sites indicates that meat, particularly from large mammals like mammoths and bison, made up a significant portion of their diet. This shift in understanding is supported by isotopic analysis of bones, which shows a higher intake of animal protein than previously thought. The article also explores how this hunting-focused lifestyle might have influenced the social structure, tool development, and migration patterns of these early inhabitants, suggesting that the abundance of megafauna in the Americas at the time could have supported such a diet. However, the article notes that while hunting was central, gathering still played a role, albeit a lesser one, in their dietary habits.

Read the Full The Economist Article at:
[ https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/12/04/lots-of-hunting-not-much-gathering-the-diet-of-early-americans ]