Archaeologists working near Azraq, Jordan, have uncovered a groundbreaking glimpse into the diets of our ancient ancestors, revealing an astonishing diversity in their culinary choices.
Stone tools dating back 250,000 years provide the oldest direct evidence yet of what early humans ate.
The findings highlight a diet that included everything from rhinos to ducks — a stark contrast to today’s modern “paleo” interpretations.
These discoveries, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, push our understanding of prehistoric diets back far beyond the previously known 11,500 years.
Among the 10,000 excavated tools, 17 had animal protein residues preserved within their microfractures.
This remarkable find sheds new light on the adaptability and resourcefulness of Middle Pleistocene hominins, who survived and thrived in harsh environments by consuming whatever prey they could capture.
“For the first time, we have direct evidence of exploitation by our Stone Age ancestors of specific animals for subsistence,” explains palaeoanthropologist April Nowell from the University of Victoria in Canada.
According to Nowell, these early humans demonstrated remarkable versatility, hunting everything from rhinoceroses to ducks in what was once a lush wetland.
A Menu of Survival
Imagine a Stone Age meal plan that included rhino on Mondays and duck on Tuesdays. Such variety underscores the ingenuity of early humans.
But how did they manage to hunt and process such formidable creatures?
Rhinoceroses, for instance, are massive, powerful animals that would require careful planning and significant effort to hunt and butcher.
The tools unearthed at Azraq offer clues. Many show protein residues—including blood—from animals like horses, cattle, and camels, suggesting that these hominins were adept at exploiting a wide range of fauna.
“The hominins in this region were clearly adaptable and capable of taking advantage of a wide range of available prey in an extremely challenging environment,” Nowell elaborates.
Their survival depended not only on their ability to hunt large game but also on their willingness to seize opportunities, such as capturing smaller, less intimidating animals like ducks.
Challenging Assumptions About Early Humans
For years, the narrative around early humans painted them as primitive and limited in their capabilities.
However, the Azraq findings challenge this perspective. These hominins were far more sophisticated than previously believed, capable of taking down large prey and processing their meat with specialized tools.
Many assume that such advanced hunting strategies emerged only much later in human history. .
But the discovery of protein residues—essentially “squeezing blood from a stone”—proves otherwise.
“The proteins, blood, and fat tissues get pushed into those little fissures and crevasses [of the tools], and they preserve well in those microfractures,” Nowell told The Toronto Star.
This breakthrough in residue analysis opens the door for reexamining even older tools, potentially rewriting the timeline of human evolution.
From Fertile Wetlands to Arid Deserts
The Azraq site, now a desert, was once a fertile oasis teeming with wildlife. This shift in environment underscores the adaptability of early humans.
As their surroundings changed, so did their strategies for survival. Hunting techniques evolved, and their diets expanded to include whatever resources were available.
These tools, once used to hunt in wetlands, now provide a snapshot of a bygone era when lush landscapes supported a diverse array of fauna.
The meticulous excavation process revealed how these early humans leveraged every opportunity to secure food, from large mammals to waterfowl.
Implications for Human Migration
The findings have broader implications for understanding human migration.
The ability to hunt and consume a wide variety of animals likely played a crucial role in the spread of humans across Eurasia.
As they ventured into new territories, their adaptability allowed them to exploit local resources efficiently.
The tools’ protein residues also suggest that early humans moved with intention, seeking out fertile areas rich in wildlife.
This adaptability may have been a key factor in their eventual dominance over other hominin species.
The Future of Archaeological Research
The techniques used in Azraq—combining advanced residue analysis with traditional excavation—set a new standard for archaeological research.
As Nowell points out, the potential for discovering even older dietary evidence is enormous.
“Once people start to realize these organics do survive much better than we had thought, people more and more will start looking for them,” she explains.
These methods could revolutionize our understanding of early human behavior, offering unprecedented insights into their diets, migration patterns, and survival strategies.
By uncovering what was once invisible—the microscopic remnants of meals consumed hundreds of thousands of years ago—researchers are piecing together the story of our ancestors in astonishing detail.
Reshaping Our Understanding of Early Diets
The discovery of animal protein residues on 250,000-year-old tools is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of early humans.
Far from being primitive scavengers, these hominins were skilled hunters who thrived in diverse and challenging environments. .
Their diet, which ranged from the imposing rhinoceros to the humble duck, paints a vivid picture of survival, resourcefulness, and evolution.
As technology advances, so too will our understanding of these ancient diets.
The Azraq findings are just the beginning of a new era in archaeology, where the tiniest traces of the past reveal the grand story of human history.
For now, we can marvel at the resilience of our ancestors and the enduring evidence they left behind—etched in stone and preserved for millennia.
