Extinct Species of Early Human Survived On Grass Bulbs, Not Meat

Philip Ross writes "Fresh analysis of an extinct relative of humans suggests our ancient ancestors dined primarily on tiger nuts, which are edible grass bulbs, settling a discrepancy over what made up prehistoric diets. According to a new study published in the journal PLOS One, the strong-jawed ancient hominin known as Paranthropus boisei, nicknamed 'Nutcracker Man,' which roamed East Africa between 2.4 million and 1.4 million years ago, survived on a diet scientists previously thought implausible."

Comments

Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat?

[mcgrew]

I sit in front of my computer all day, too, but I've never had a weight problem. If anything, I have a problem keeping it on. Of course, I drink water all day rather than soda, and when I eat at a restaurant I usually take half the meal home because it's just way too much food.

As to the anonymous idiot you responded to who said "Man's eyes were not evolved to read computer screens and mankind's fingers were not evolved to used keyboards," what a moron. Computer screens and keyboards were designed to work with the fingers and eyes we evolved. HFCS wasn't.

Re:A blow to vegetarians

[dugancent]

True. My girlfriend is vegan and she takes B12 supplements, which is fine by me. The way I see it, it's much more environmentally friendly to produce a B12 tablet then it is to grow, slaughter and cook an animal.

Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day

[Impy the Impiuos Imp]

57 million people died during WWII, yet the Earth finished it with 20 million more people than it started with.

Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat?

[cusco]

Go stand in the sun near the equator for an hour, or run through elephant grass, or move through a thicket, and then tell me if you're still of the same opinion. Clothes are not only for the cold.