Specialists in archaeology report the retrieval of a diverse assortment of starch granules from lithic implements unearthed at an early Middle Pleistocene archaeological locale situated in Israel. This collection encompasses starch residues from acorns, various grass species, tubers of water chestnuts, rhizomes of the yellow water lily, and seeds belonging to the legume family.
Examples of some of the plants recovered from Gesher Benot Ya’akov percussive tools, including the whole plant, the edible part, and the characteristic starch grains. From left to right: oak, yellow water lily, and common oat. Scale bars – 20 µm. Image credit: Hadar Ahituv & Yoel Melamed.
The basaltic implements, estimated to be 780,000 years old, were discovered at the Gesher Benot Ya’aqov archaeological site, a location dating to the early Middle Pleistocene and positioned along the periphery of the ancient Hula Lake.
A cohort of investigators, under the direction of Dr. Hadar Ahituv from Bar-Ilan University, conducted an exhaustive examination of these artifacts.
“Our findings present a counter-narrative to the prevalent hypothesis that the diets of early humans were principally sustained by animal protein, a notion often promoted by contemporary dietary trends like the ‘paleo’ diet,” stated the research team.
“Many of these widely accepted dietary reconstructions are based on interpretations derived from animal skeletal remains recovered from ancient sites, as plant-based food sources rarely endure over such extensive periods.”
“Nevertheless, the identification of starch granules on ancient tools furnishes novel perspectives, illuminating the pivotal role of plant-derived sustenance, especially starchy tubers, nuts, and roots. These food sources are abundant in carbohydrates, which are indispensable for meeting the substantial energy requirements of the developing human brain.”
“Furthermore, our investigation underscores the advanced techniques early hominins employed in the preparation of plant materials.”
The researchers documented an aggregate of over 650 distinct starch grains on basalt maces and anvils—implements specifically utilized for fracturing and grinding plant foodstuffs sourced from the Gesher Benot Ya’aqov region.
These particular tools represent the earliest known evidence of hominin engagement in the deliberate processing of plant-based edibles and were instrumental in the preparation of a wide array of flora, including acorns, various cereals, legumes, and aquatic plants such as the yellow water lily and the now-extinct water chestnut.
Additional microscopic remnants were also identified, comprising pollen grains, rodent fur, and avian feathers, which served to validate the veracity of the starch grain findings.
“This significant discovery emphatically highlights the dietary importance of plant-based foods in the evolutionary trajectory of our ancestors,” remarked Dr. Ahituv.
“We now possess a clearer understanding that early hominins actively gathered an extensive spectrum of plant resources throughout the year, which they expertly processed using tools fashioned from basalt.”
“This revelation inaugurates a new epoch in the scholarly exploration of early human subsistence patterns and their profound interrelationship with plant-derived sustenance.”
The unearthed evidence also offers valuable insights into the socio-cognitive behaviors exhibited by these hominins.
“The proficient utilization of tools for food processing strongly implies a sophisticated level of collaborative effort and social organization, as these hominins likely operated within broader communal structures,” the researchers posited.
“Their capacity to harness a diverse range of resources from both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems demonstrates an intricate comprehension of their environment, mirroring the adaptive intelligence of modern humans.”
“This scientific finding signifies a crucial juncture in the study of prehistoric peoples and furnishes compelling corroboration regarding the alimentary habits of our ancient forebears, thereby proffering novel perspectives on human evolutionary pathways and the genesis of complex societal structures.”
The outcomes of this research are detailed in a published article appearing this week in the esteemed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
_____
Hadar Ahituv et al. 2025. Starch-rich plant foods 780,000 y ago: Evidence from Acheulian percussive stone tools. PNAS 122 (3): e2418661121; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2418661121
