Ancient Europeans Consumed Seaweed and Freshwater Plants for Millennia: A Study’s Implications for Modern Nutrition and Sustainability

New scientific research provides conclusive evidence that the ancestors of modern Europeans had been consuming seaweed and freshwater plants for several thousand years. Utilizing biomarker analysis of dental calculus, the study shows that these dietary patterns endured even during the shift to agriculture in the Neolithic period. These findings accentuate the potential advantages of reintegrating these nutrient-dense foods into present-day European diets for both health and ecological sustainability.

Archaeological studies suggest that the consumption of seaweed and freshwater plants by the predecessors of contemporary Europeans spans several millennia. This offers the prospect of health benefits and sustainability from the inclusion of these foods in current dietary habits.

Table of Contents

Seaweed Utilization in Prehistoric Europe

Although seaweed is often celebrated today as a nutritional powerhouse and an eco-friendly food option, it seems that ancient Europeans were pioneers in consuming this nutrient-dense plant for an extended period.

Researchers assert that irrefutable archaeological proof indicates the consumption of seaweed and other regional freshwater plants from the Mesolithic period, through the Neolithic transition to agriculture, and into the Early Middle Ages. This suggests that these plants, which are seldom consumed in Europe today, only recently became peripheral in dietary choices.

Archaeological Evidence and Historical Context

Published today (October 17) in the scientific journal Nature Communications, the study indicates that while there is considerable exploitation of aquatic resources, seaweed is infrequently recorded in the archaeological data, generally considered for non-edible applications like fuel, food packaging, or soil enrichment.

Historical records indicate that laws governing the harvesting of seaweed existed in areas like Iceland, Brittany, and Ireland as early as the 10th century. Sea kale is cited by the Roman author Pliny as an anti-scurvy remedy for sailors.

By the 18th century, seaweed had come to be seen primarily as a food consumed during times of scarcity. Despite its continued economic importance in parts of Asia for both nutritional and medicinal purposes, seaweed is rarely consumed in Europe today.

Scientific Methods and Findings

The research team, led by academics from the Universities of Glasgow and York, analyzed biomarkers in dental calculus from 74 subjects at 28 archaeological sites throughout Europe, from northern Scotland to southern Spain. The analysis yielded direct evidence of widespread consumption of seaweeds and submerged aquatic and freshwater plants.

Surviving biomolecular samples indicated the consumption of various types of seaweeds—red, green, and brown—as well as freshwater aquatic plants. One sample from Orkney even showed evidence of a Brassica, likely sea kale.

Of the approximately 10,000 distinct species of seaweeds globally, merely 145 are currently consumed, mostly in Asia.

Future Prospects and Expert Commentary

The scholars behind the study hope that their work will emphasize the potential to incorporate a greater variety of seaweeds and local freshwater plants into contemporary European diets, thereby contributing to improved health and environmental sustainability.

Karen Hardy, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow and lead investigator of the study, stated, “Seaweeds and freshwater aquatic plants are largely absent from traditional western diets today. Their gradual marginalization from food to scarcity resources and livestock feed likely spanned an extended timeframe, as has been observed with other plants.”

Dr. Stephen Buckley, a co-author from the Department of Archaeology at the University of York, noted, “The biomolecular evidence in this study predates historical evidence in the Far East by over three millennia. This not only shows that seaweed was consumed in Europe around 8,000 years ago when marine resources were known to be exploited, but it also persisted into the Neolithic era, typically assumed to mark the cessation of marine dietary resources.”

Reference: “Human consumption of seaweed and freshwater aquatic plants in ancient Europe,” published on 17 October 2023 in Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41671-2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ancient European Diet

What is the primary focus of the new scientific research?

The primary focus of the new research is to provide conclusive evidence that ancient Europeans consumed seaweed and freshwater plants for several millennia. The study utilizes biomarker analysis of dental calculus to support this claim.

How were the findings obtained in this study?

The findings were obtained through the analysis of biomarkers in dental calculus from 74 individuals across 28 archaeological sites in Europe, ranging from northern Scotland to southern Spain. The analysis yielded direct evidence of widespread consumption of seaweeds and submerged aquatic and freshwater plants.

What is the significance of seaweed and freshwater plants in ancient European diets?

The significance lies in the fact that these nutrient-dense foods were consumed over a long period, even persisting through the Neolithic transition to agriculture. This suggests that ancient Europeans recognized the nutritional benefits of these foods, which are currently underutilized in modern European diets.

Are there historical records supporting the consumption of seaweed?

Yes, historical accounts indicate that laws governing the harvesting of seaweed existed in areas like Iceland, Brittany, and Ireland as early as the 10th century. Sea kale is also cited by the Roman author Pliny as an anti-scurvy remedy for sailors.

What are the potential modern-day implications of the study?

The study highlights the potential for reintegrating nutrient-rich seaweeds and other local freshwater plants into contemporary European diets. This could offer health benefits and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Who led the research team?

The research was led by academics from the Universities of Glasgow and York, with Karen Hardy, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, serving as the lead investigator.

What do experts hope to achieve with these findings?

Experts hope that the study will emphasize the potential for including a greater variety of seaweeds and local freshwater plants in contemporary European diets. The aim is to contribute to improved health and environmental sustainability.

Where was the study published?

The study was published on 17 October 2023 in the scientific journal Nature Communications. The DOI is 10.1038/s41467-023-41671-2.

How many species of seaweeds are consumed today?

Of the approximately 10,000 distinct species of seaweeds globally, only 145 are currently consumed, primarily in Asia.

What is the timeframe covered by the biomolecular evidence?

The biomolecular evidence in the study predates historical evidence in the Far East by over three millennia and shows that seaweed was consumed in Europe around 8,000 years ago. It also indicates that this consumption persisted into the Neolithic era.