Plant Consumption in Neandertals

Year 2018, Volume: 12 Issue: 2, 58 - 69, 27.11.2018

Merve Gümrükçü

Abstract

Neanderthals lived in Eurasia for approximately 200.000 years and disappeared nearly 30.000 years ago. Meanwhile, modern humans occupied many sites in Europe. Thus, it is reasonable to suggest that Neanderthals and modern humans that came from Africa might encounter one another, which resulting in competition and finally the disappearance of Neanderthals. It has been asserted that the limited diet of Neanderthals would be a disadvantage for them during competition with modern humans. However, the evidence from several new studies shows that Neanderthals had a varied diet which included substantial plant consumption. 

Keywords

Neanderthals, modern humans, plant consumption, meat consumption, diet

Neandertallerde Bitki Tüketimi

Abstract

Neandertaller yaklaşık 200 bin yıl boyunca Avrasya da yaşadılar ve 30 bin yıl önce ortadan yok oldular. Bu sırada modern insan Avrupada ki birçok alanı işgal etmişti. Bu nedenle, Neandertaller ile Afrika’dan gelen modern insanların bu alanlarda karşı karşıya gelmiş olabilecekleri ve bunun sonucunda ortaya çıkan rekabetin Neandertallerin ortadan kaybolmasına neden olabileceği düşüncesini ortaya atmak mümkündür. Neandertallerin modern insanlarla rekabeti sırasında kısıtlı besin kaynakları tüketmesinin bu mücadelede onlar için bir dezavantaj olabilecegi savunulmuştur. Ancak, yeni araştırmalardan elde edilen kanıtlar Neandertallerin bitki tüketimini de içeren zengin bir diyete sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu nedenle, Neandertallerin yok oluşuna sınırlı bir diyete sahip olmalarının zemin hazırlamış olabileceği düşüncesi geçerliliğini sürdürmemektedir.

Keywords

Neandertaller, modern insanlar, bitki tüketimi, et tüketimi, diyet

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