So it seems our ancestors also had somewhat of a sweet tooth! Scientists have found the remains of bodies exhibiting some of the earliest evidence of tooth decay in humans. The discovery was made in what is now Morocco where it seems a diet high in carbohydrate nutty foods was consumed. I don’t suppose the hunter-gatherers first priority was dental health either, so it seems (according to their dental remains) that would have been in considerable pain with dental caries and abscesses!
52 skeletons were dug up and examined in the Grotte des Pigeons complex at Taforalt in eastern Morocco. The findings showed that every single skeleton bar 3 had tooth decay, with most exhibiting tooth decay in up to 50% of their teeth! The wild plant remains found near the bodies indicates that their diets were high in sweet acorns, pine nuts and pistachios, as well as snails being a popular choice for many. The sweet acorns were evidently cooked, making them sticky acting in a similar way to toffees getting stuck and rotting the modern day mans teeth!
The only difference was that they exercised a heck of a lot, so at least they weren’t fat!
#RIPPED
Reference
Amos, J, (2014). News, Science & Environment. Moroccan stone age hunters’ rotten teeth. Retrieved 7th January, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24332237
