Fecal fossil analysis of ancient people

Through analysis of fossil samples, experts found the old Neanderthals had an omnivorous diet.

Many people believe that the ancient ancients used to eat predominantly wild meat but a recent study showed that the ancients had a more sophisticated diet - more vegetables and nuts.

To reach this conclusion, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of La Laguna (Spain) conducted a study of 50,000-year-old fossil feces collected in the El Salt area of ​​Southern Spain. Home

Thereby, the experts found in this stool sample include the composition of cholesterol derived from animals and also phytosterols - a compound like cholesterol found in plants.

Fecal fossils are obtained in Spain

This is considered to be the first direct evidence to prove that Neanderthals are omnivorous . At the top of the study, scientist Ainara Sistiaga of the University of La Laguna said: "Through analysis of fossil samples, we were very surprised by this discovery of Neanderthal diet".

Previously, scientists also conducted research and reconstruction of the diet of Neanderthals but not really convincing.

Experts have analyzed the isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the collected Neanderthal bones, suggesting that the ancients used to eat large prey like cows and pigs . From here, many researchers claim, The old Neanderthals ate only meat.

Other research groups have also explored specimens on Neanderthal teeth, suggesting that the ancients had a rather complex diet.

Sistiaga said: "Most likely, Neanderthals do not eat plants directly but consume this amount of food through the stomachs of the prey. Therefore, traces of the consumption of ancient Neanderthal plants stick on teeth ".

Another theory is that Neanderthals used teeth as a tool to bite and cut plants, so many people mistook them for eating plants.

However, with the discovery of this Neanderthal feces, experts have taken a step further and better understand the diet of the ancients. Thereby, scientists believe that Neanderthals have a predominantly meat diet, however, they also consume a large and fairly regular amount of vegetables and nuts.