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Sharp shift in diet at onset of Neolithic

Author

Listed:
  • Michael P. Richards

    (University of Bradford)

  • Rick J. Schulting

    (School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Robert E. M. Hedges

    (Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford)

Abstract

The introduction of domesticated plants and animals into Britain during the Neolithic cultural period between 5,200 and 4,500 years ago is viewed either as a rapid event1 or as a gradual process that lasted for more than a millennium2. Here we measure stable carbon isotopes present in bone to investigate the dietary habits of Britons over the Neolithic period and the preceding 3,800 years (the Mesolithic period). We find that there was a rapid and complete change from a marine- to a terrestrial-based diet among both coastal and inland dwellers at the onset of the Neolithic period, which coincided with the first appearance of domesticates. As well as arguing against a slow, gradual adoption of agriculture and animal husbandry by Mesolithic societies, our results indicate that the attraction of the new farming lifestyle must have been strong enough to persuade even coastal dwellers to abandon their successful fishing practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael P. Richards & Rick J. Schulting & Robert E. M. Hedges, 2003. "Sharp shift in diet at onset of Neolithic," Nature, Nature, vol. 425(6956), pages 366-366, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:425:y:2003:i:6956:d:10.1038_425366a
    DOI: 10.1038/425366a
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Buckley & Karen Hardy & Fredrik Hallgren & Lucy Kubiak-Martens & Žydrūnė Miliauskienė & Alison Sheridan & Iwona Sobkowiak-Tabaka & Maria Eulalia Subirà, 2023. "Human consumption of seaweed and freshwater aquatic plants in ancient Europe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Lucile Crété & Simon A. Parfitt & Charles Day & Silvia M. Bello, 2024. "Non-masticatory striations on human teeth from the British Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.

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