Seattle Forrest

Archaeologists have uncovered the earliest evidence of bread-making at a site in northeastern Jordan. Dating back some 14,400 years, the discovery shows that ancient hunter-gatherers were making and eating bread 4,000 years before the Neolithic era and the introduction of agriculture. So much for the “Paleo Diet” actually being a thing.

https://gizmodo.com/discovery-of-14-...n-b-1827631358

CliffordK

Oh, I hate it when one forgets one's toast in the toaster.

How did it taste?

CliffordK

The Americas and Europeans developed farming with livestock differently, but I think most cultures developed some kinds of grains.

Wheat, Barley, Rice, & Corn domestication all would have been done sometime in the last 30,000 or so years ago.

Yeasts can be naturally produced with flours.

So, the development of breads would be expected early. No big surprises.

Seattle Forrest

It's a big surprise to adherents of the paleo religion, in which bread plays the role of the fallen angel Lucifer.

Colnago Mixte

14,000 years is not really that long ago, cattle were being domesticated at that time, as well as pigs, and agriculture was just beginning in the civilized world. Prior to that, humans ate wild grain that was picked by hand, for who knows how long, maybe 100,000 years or more.

That wild grain was nothing like the strains of wheat grown today, the original plants were tall, and produced much less grain per plant. People presumably ate the whole kernels, and there was no such thing as white flour.

My point is that eating a modern slice of Wonder Bread(R) or a bowl or cereal made from modern wheat that's been cooked, processed, and had the bran removed is almost nothing like eating the kind of wheat people ate 10,000 years ago. so any comparison between the two is somewhat absurd.

CliffordK

Here is apparently evidence of grinding flour 32,000 years ago.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt...-000-years-ago

It doesn't say what they were doing with the flour, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went into some kind of bread or perhaps pancakes.

For many grains to be palatable to modern humans, they require some kind of modification, whether it is rolling oats, grinding flour, or soaking the kernels. Especially if the grains are being dried and preserved for the winter.

Seattle Forrest

Equally true of corn and apples.

CliffordK

Where can I get a Mammoth Steak?

Of course, getting that mammoth steak should involve a life and death battle taking down an animal 50 times my size using a stone bladed spear.

Colnago Mixte

Agreed, all grains and produce are much different now than in "paleo" times.

It's been bred to be bigger, sweeter, tastier, and who knows, maybe even more nutritious because you're not spitting out dirt and racks while you eat it, so you can eat more of it. And refrigeration keeps it fresher.

And it's certainly easier to get, I'm constantly amazed at all the produce I can buy for $10, more than I could eat in a week.

redlude97

The cows and pigs and chickens of today are nothing like the paleo versions either but that doesn't stop people from following whatever cult that works for them

Colnago Mixte

I think whatever benefit that comes from Paleo-dieting comes mainly from getting off the processed foods and sticking with foods sold on the outside walls of the supermarket (produce, meat, eggs and dairy).

Any move away from processed foods (e.g., frozen pizzas and desserts, snack foods, SODAS, breakfast cereals, cake, candy, etc.) is a good move, IMO.

redlude97

Sure, agreed. Just don't spout off about how its the same diet our ancestors subsisted on

Hondo Gravel

CliffordK

There have been many changes.

Bees were "domesticated" about 5000 to 10,000 years ago. SUGAR anybody?

Salt was probably used from ancient times, including salt cured meats. And, it wouldn't have been restricted to coastal communities. Many cultures had quite a strong salt trade.

And, of course, the opening of the "East" (as well as perhaps the discovery (or rediscovery) of America) was all driven by spices.

In some senses, I have to wonder if a large part of humanity's evolution was due to the love of food. Dexterity for picking choice foods. Tool making for hunting or cultivating foods.

ksryder

My mom was killed by a rogue wheat stalk! Have some respect!

wolfchild

Modern paleo movement is seriously misinformed about human nutrition.

canklecat

Did that paleo toast have the image of paleo Euell Gibbons?

OBoile

Agreed.
Also agreed. I'm sure, at the very least, that our ancestors followed a diet that was seasonal in nature with far less selection on a given day... not to mention the changes in our produce that others have mentioned.

colombo357

Paleo is great for people who think it's great.