Revealing a Plant-Based Diet in Early Human Life at Gesher Benot Ya’akov

A groundbreaking study at Gesher Benot Ya’akov, Israel, challenges long-held beliefs about early human diets, revealing that 780,000 years ago, our ancestors relied heavily on a diverse plant-based diet. Led by researchers from Bar-Ilan University, the findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uncover evidence of sophisticated plant-processing techniques and shed new light on human evolution.

Evidence from the Site

Archaeologists discovered starch grains preserved on basalt tools excavated from the Gesher Benot Ya’akov site, a key location along the Jordan River. These microscopic traces indicate that early humans processed a variety of starchy plants, including acorns, cereals, legumes, and aquatic species like yellow water lily and water chestnut. This diverse plant use suggests a diet far richer in carbohydrates than previously assumed, contradicting the notion that early humans were predominantly meat-eaters.

Advanced Techniques and Social Cooperation

The presence of starch grains points to advanced plant-processing methods, such as grinding or pounding, likely using the basalt tools for food preparation. This sophistication implies that early humans, possibly Homo erectus or a related species, possessed a deep understanding of their environment. The study suggests they worked in social groups to gather, process, and share these resources, highlighting early cooperation and knowledge transmission—key steps in human social development.

Implications for Human Evolution

This discovery underscores the critical role of plant foods in shaping human evolution. The reliance on a varied plant-based diet likely provided sustained energy and nutrients, supporting brain growth and physical endurance. It challenges popular “paleo” diet narratives that emphasize animal protein, offering a more balanced view of early human nutrition. The findings align with evidence of similar plant use at other sites, suggesting a widespread dietary strategy among early hominins.

Conclusion

The Gesher Benot Ya’akov study reveals that 780,000 years ago, early humans thrived on a diverse plant-based diet, leveraging advanced techniques and social collaboration. This evidence reshapes our understanding of their lifestyle and evolutionary path, proving that plants were as vital as meat in their survival and development.