First Direct Evidence Of Substantial Fish Consumption By Early Modern Humans In China 40,000 Years

[Adsos Letter]

(ahem)...Ago...

Source: ScienceDaily (July 13, 2009)

— Freshwater fish are an important part of the diet of many peoples around the world, but it has been unclear when fish became an important part of the year-round diet for early humans.

A new study by an international team of researchers, including Erik Trinkaus, Ph.D., professor of anthropology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, shows it may have happened in China as far back as 40,000 years ago.

Chemical analysis of the protein collagen, using ratios of the isotopes of nitrogen and sulfur in particular, can show whether such fish consumption was an occasional treat or a regular food item.

The isotopic analysis of a bone from one of the earliest modern humans in Asia, the 40,000 year old skeleton from Tianyuan Cave in the Zhoukoudian region of China (near Beijing), by an international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and Washington University in Saint Louis has shown that this individual was a regular fish consumer.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171544.htm

Interesting picture of a mandible, if you're into that sort of thing.

[aquart]

1. Always ready to see a nice mandible.

And off to the side of your articles are all these fascinating links and I just used one to find out Kim Jong Ill has pancreatic cancer along with the fantasy that he may be able to live another five years. No wonder they've been doing so much posturing. They're about to destabilize big time.

[Adsos Letter]

2. A well cut mandible is an object of inspiration...

and I think you are quite correct, and I think the destabilization may be a nasty one, as they often are.

[emilyg]

3. I'm so happy you're back with your "gems".

[Adsos Letter]

4. Off and on, emilyg...until someone complains, I suppose.

[aquart]

6. Complain? Why would anyone complain?

You raise the tone of the joint.

[Adsos Letter]

7. Oh, not complain, really...

I just don't want to get consigned to the Anthro dungeon, and since I am an LateNite/EarlyMorning type, I figure this timeslot might not disrupt GD too much.

[JI7]

8. i love these type of articles

[Adsos Letter]

9. Good! I always find it quite satisfying to read about the human past.

[AllentownJake]

5. How can man be eating fish 40,000 years ago

Everyone knows the earth is 6000 years old

:sarcasm:

[aquart]

11. Why anyone took that idiot Usher's word for anything...

Twit was estimating.

[Trajan]

10. I have got to show you how to post a pic ....