What Did Early Farmers in Northern Europe Actually Eat?

One of the 14 grindings tones that archeologists found while excavating a 5,500 years old settlement on the Danish island Funen. A new study reveals that the stones were not used to grind cereal grains. Credit: Niels H. Andersen / Moesgaard Museum

Moreover, the researchers highlight the absence of evidence for beer production in Denmark during this period. The earliest evidence of brewing in the region dates to the Bronze Age, suggesting that fermented beverages were not commonly consumed by these early farming communities.

The Funnel Beaker Culture, active between 4000 and 2800 BCE, represents a milestone in Scandinavian history, marking the transition to agriculture and animal husbandry. Its name derives from the distinctive shape of its ceramic vessels. The discovery at Frydenlund is significant not only for the volume of tools and grains recovered but also because it offers a unique glimpse into this culture’s subsistence practices.

The researchers caution that the conclusions are not definitive. This study focuses on a single settlement. While it supports similar findings elsewhere, we cannot rule out different results from future analyses at other sites, notes Niels H. Andersen, co-author of the study.

What factors led these farmers to prioritize the collection and processing of wild plants over cereal use? What roles did cultural traditions and technological constraints play in these decisions? The research underscores the importance of avoiding simplistic assumptions about ancient societies. While agriculture marked a revolution in human history, its impact was far more complex and diverse than traditionally imagined.

SOURCES

Aarhus University

Out, W.A., García-Granero, J.J., Andreasen, M.H. et al. Plant use at Funnel Beaker sites: combined macro- and microremains analysis at the Early Neolithic site of Frydenlund, Denmark (ca. 3600 BCE). Veget Hist Archaeobot (2024). doi.org/10.1007/s00334-024-01020-9

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Publish date : 2024-12-28 09:11:00

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