Found: The earliest direct evidence of milk consumption

For lactose intolerant We, the lure of ice cream can sometimes be too hard to bear. But as a recent discovery shows, this food dilemma dates back to prehistory. By examining the plaque on the teeth of British Neolithic remains, a research team has discovered what is, to date, the first direct evidence that humans consume milk from other animals all over the world, as noted a press release from York University.

Unfortunately for prehistoric farmers, they were probably lactose intolerant.

About 6,000 years ago, seven people residing in three British Neolithic sites – Hambledon Hill and Hazleton North to the south, and Banbury Lane a little further east – drank or consumed enough dairy products to leave traces on their teeth. They have recently been discovered by researchers affiliated with the University of York, who previously examined teeth for signs of milk consumption and found these human remains in archaeological collections of institutions such as the Dorset County Museum.

While the dentists nod their heads at the tartar, the researchers were able to make this exciting discovery. In the mineralized plaque of seven of the ten subjects examined, the researchers discovered peptides derived from beta-lactoglobulin, a milk protein that does not appear naturally in human breast milk. But it is present in the milk of cows, sheep and goats.

In British Neolithic times, agriculture and livestock first appeared in the area. In addition to wheat, barley and domestic meat, farmers seem to be turning to milk as a source of nutrition. Although the exact animal milk is not certain, the study indicates that a peptide found in the analysis of an individual from Hambledon Hill suggests the presence of goat's milk, while d & # 39; Others showed that the inhabitants of Hazleton North probably ate bovine and / or sheep milk. but no goat.

The milk consumption of these farmers was earlier than the ability of adults in the region to digest lactose, which could have appeared in European humans around 4,000 years ago as a result of genetic mutation. That's why the research team suggested that the first farmers may not have been drinking milk. In a press release, the lead author, Dr. Sophy Charlton, said, "Because drinking very small amounts of milk would have made people at that time very sick, these early farmers may have turned milk, perhaps in commodities such as cheese. . "

Although previous research on pottery found around the world has shown that humans consumed dairy products for thousands of years before these farmers, this study traced dairy products more directly to farmers. human remains. By following this line of investigation, Dr. Charlton and her colleagues hope to learn about the still mysterious process by which humans have overcome lactose intolerance and learned to love milk.

Gastro Obscura covers the most wonderful food and drink in the world.

Sign up to receive our email, delivered twice a week.