Stone Age Hunting: Ancient Whale Bones Reveal Secret Food Strategies!

Stone Age Hunting: Ancient Whale Bones Reveal Secret Food Strategies!

A recent research study has revealed that residents of coastal regions of the Atlantic were using whale bones for their tools and hunting weapons as early as 17,500 to 16,000 years ago. This work is the result of a collaboration between scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Toulouse and the University of Vienna, who analyzed 83 bone tools and 90 additional finds from the Santa Catalina cave in the Basque Country.

Of the bones examined, 71 came from the remains of large whales that lived in the region. At least six species of whales were found in the North Atlantic 20,000 years ago, including sperm whales, fin whales and blue whales. These findings result from a comprehensive analysis of stable isotopes, which made it possible to draw conclusions about the diet and lifestyle of Stone Age people at the time.

Whale bones as a food source and tool

The whale bones were particularly attractive to Stone Age people because of their size. They were primarily used to make hunting weapons such as arrow shafts and tips. It can be assumed that people in this colder and more whale-rich region did not actively hunt the large sea creatures, but rather resorted to their remains.

The study also shows that the first evidence of the use of whale bones can be dated back to 20,000 years ago. The previous assumptions, which were based on use 18,000 years ago, could thus be made more precise. The variety of whale species that populated the coastal region at that time demonstrates the rich maritime food chain of this era.

Diets in the Stone Age

The diet of Stone Age people was balanced and varied greatly depending on the climate and availability of food. Recent studies indicate that hunter-gatherers, on average, lived longer and suffered less from disease than later farming cultures. They relied less on grains for their diet, which calls into question the arguments for the supposed need for “Stone Age diets without grains.” One study has shown that adapting to different food resources helped people live healthier lives in different environmental conditions.

The Paleolithic diet was more varied and richer in nutrients than is often assumed. Hunter-gatherers could easily find new food resources while migrating, while agricultural societies often suffered from famine when crops failed.

In summary, the research not only expands knowledge about the use of whale bones in the Stone Age, but also fundamentally questions the ideas about the lifestyle and diet of people at that time. Instead of a deprived existence, which is often portrayed in the context of the Stone Age, a picture of adaptation, diversity and healthy nutrition emerges.