New Insights into Early Human Diets: Carrion Consumption

Recent research by the Spanish National Research Centre for Human Evolution suggests that scavenging for carrion was a crucial survival strategy for early hominins. According to scientists Ana Mateos and Jesus Rodriguez, while consuming carrion involves risks related to pathogens and potential attacks from predators, ecological studies reveal that carrion is often more accessible than previously understood.

It tends to be available during times when other food sources are limited. The researchers argue that the acidic environment of the human stomach may have provided a defense mechanism against pathogens and toxins found in spoiled meat.

Furthermore, humans possess the ability to travel long distances with minimal energy expenditure, which would facilitate the search for carrion. Communication and organization among early humans would have also played a key role in locating and securing these food sources.

In addition, the ability to drive away predators using projectiles or stones would have enhanced their scavenging success. Current hunter-gatherer groups exhibit similar scavenging behaviors, highlighting the importance of this practice in human dietary evolution.

The study underscores that carrion serves a fundamental role in ecosystems, with all carnivorous species consuming it to varying degrees. This research offers new insights into how early humans adapted their diets and interacted with their environment, providing a clearer picture of the evolutionary pathways that shaped modern human behavior.

For further details on the significance of scavenging in human evolution, refer to the article "Marrow of Humanity."