In what they claim to be the most substantial evidence of the use of flame for cooking, Israeli scientists found that the earliest known ancestors of humans, who existed 780,000 years ago, enjoyed eating fish.
What Does the Study Say?
A study published Monday in the Nature Ecology and Evolution claims that Neanderthals and ancient Homo sapiens provided the first “conclusive proof” of cooking 170,000 years ago. That date is pushed back by the study by more than 600,000 years. According to archaeologist Irit Zohar of Tel Aviv University, a site called Gesher Benot Ya’akov in northern Israel was where hundreds of fish remains were discovered. Researchers could better understand when the earliest chefs began experimenting in the kitchen thanks to a treasure trove of prehistoric fish fossils discovered at the spot close to the banks of the River Jordan.
What Does Irit Zohar Claim?
She claimed that the initial proof appeared in a location with no fish bones but many teeth. The fish’s teeth are still present, even though the bones of the fish melt and dissolve at temperatures below 500 °C (930 °F). It may imply cooking. According to the study, just two large carp species had the most teeth, indicating that they were picked because of their “succulent” meat. Over 2 meters (6.5 feet) long carps were also present. At the Natural History Museum in London, scientists utilized X-ray powder diffraction to examine how warming alters the crystal structures that comprise enamel. The primary portion of the fish’s teeth was discovered to be subjected to temps between 200 and 500 °C (400 and 930 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature range is ideal for adequately cooked fish.
