Researchers found that seaweed has been a common food in Europe for thousands of years. They found signatures of this product in the teeth of human remains from Spain to Lithuania. People with this diet live in B.C. He lived in this region since 6400 BC. to the 12th century AD This is stated in an article in the journal. Nature Communication.
Seaweed can now be considered an unusual ingredient in Western cuisine, featured in gourmet cookbooks. But it turns out that seaweed has been a common food item in Europe for thousands of years.
This discovery came as a surprise because it was traditionally believed that the development of agriculture in the Neolithic period led to the depletion of water resources. In the 18th century, seaweed was considered food for the hungry.
Scientists at archaeological sites have found traces of seaweed before, but it was not clear what it was used for and it was assumed it was used as fuel and fertilizer. But a new paper provides evidence that seaweed was eaten in many parts of Europe.
“These biomarkers are found in dental calculus,” said one of the study authors.
Researchers have collected data from 28 archaeological sites across Europe, from southern Spain to northern Scotland, from B.C. He analyzed dental calculus samples taken from the remains of 74 individuals dating back to around 6400 BC. Until the 12th century.
A total of 37 samples contained biomarkers indicating consumption of foods such as seaweed and kelp. One example showed seaweed consumption.
In some cases, the team was even able to determine the color of the seaweed being eaten; for example, red seaweed appears to have been eaten at Isbister in Orkney during the Middle and Late Neolithic period (3200–2800 BC).
Scientists have concluded that although such foods are rarely eaten in Europe today, until relatively recently they were a common part of the diet.
Previously in seaweed to create Substances that help fight coronavirus.