Discovering the wild plants eaten by our ancestors
It’s hard to know what wild plants our ancestors depended on, but Irish researchers are now using a new technique to answer that question!
Although starch normally breaks down quickly, it is an inherently stable molecule and can survive for long periods of time in a stable environment. Microscopic starch granules of plants that survive by becoming trapped in crevices of archaeological tools, such as stone grinding tools, in burnt residues on pottery and in dental calculus provide vital links to what our ancestors were eating. A new research project aims to establish a reference collection of starch granules from native starchy tuberous plants, which will then enable researchers in Ireland to develop the technique of starch identification in the reconstruction of past dietary preferences.
Many of the wild plants our ancestors relied on for food will be relatives of the crops we use today. Early people lived in close association with the environment, so learning what foods were most nutritious and valuable in Ireland in the past may help us in looking towards our future food security.
This work is being carried out by James Eogan (NRA, Tramore), Karen Hardy (ICREA at Universtat Autònoma de Barcelona), Meriel McClatchie (Dungarvan) and Dominic Berridge (Wexford Wildfowl Reserve).
