Scientists debunk myth of paleo diet followed by ancient hunter-gatherers

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ancient hunter-gatherers relied heavily on plant foods, particularly starchy plants, as a major energy source contrary to the popular belief that ancient human “paleo” diets were mainly meat-based. Scientists found starch grains on ancient basalt maces and anvils used by ancient human ancestors to crack and crush plant foods. New discoveries in Egypt's Saqqara reveal more secrets from history Scientists found that early humans living in this region used basalt maces and anvils to prepare a variety of plants, including acorns, cereals, legumes, and aquatic plants such as the yellow water lily and the now locally-extinct water chestnut. open image in gallery Examples of some of the plants recovered from Gesher Benot Ya’akov percussive tools: oak, yellow water lily, and common oat Researchers suspect the ability of early humans to process plants using tools could be indicative of a high level of cooperation and social structure.