Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa
Abstract Starch grain analysis carried out on 23 ceramic sherds from 6 refuse pits from the site of Nachtigal in central Cameroon is shedding light on a longstanding debate regarding ancient diets in Central Africa during the Iron Age (IA, 2500 years BP) but also more recently during the Modern Peri...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23442-z |
| _version_ | 1811230471385776128 |
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| author | Clarissa Cagnato Pascal Nlend François Ngouoh Richard Oslisly Geoffroy de Saulieu |
| author_facet | Clarissa Cagnato Pascal Nlend François Ngouoh Richard Oslisly Geoffroy de Saulieu |
| author_sort | Clarissa Cagnato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Starch grain analysis carried out on 23 ceramic sherds from 6 refuse pits from the site of Nachtigal in central Cameroon is shedding light on a longstanding debate regarding ancient diets in Central Africa during the Iron Age (IA, 2500 years BP) but also more recently during the Modern Period (ca. 150 BP). The results indicate a varied, but balanced diet, consisting of cereals, legumes, oil-rich seeds, and tubers; the latter being very rarely documented in the region. Moreover, we underscore the presence of taxa still consumed today, or in recent times. Rescue archaeology, and the application of specialized methodologies, are critical to better nuancing past dietary practices in this region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:29:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee37e70858454a72b30564429ff58c31 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:29:51Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee37e70858454a72b30564429ff58c312022-12-22T03:36:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-11-0112111010.1038/s41598-022-23442-zAnalysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central AfricaClarissa Cagnato0Pascal Nlend1François Ngouoh2Richard Oslisly3Geoffroy de Saulieu4UMR 7041 ArScAn, équipe environnementales, MSH MONDESDépartement des Arts et de l’Archéologie et Centre de Recherche et d’Expertise scientifique, Université de Yaoundé IDépartement des Arts et de l’Archéologie et Centre de Recherche et d’Expertise scientifique, Université de Yaoundé ICellule Scientifique de l’Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux du GabonIRD UMR 2008 PALOC (MNHN)Abstract Starch grain analysis carried out on 23 ceramic sherds from 6 refuse pits from the site of Nachtigal in central Cameroon is shedding light on a longstanding debate regarding ancient diets in Central Africa during the Iron Age (IA, 2500 years BP) but also more recently during the Modern Period (ca. 150 BP). The results indicate a varied, but balanced diet, consisting of cereals, legumes, oil-rich seeds, and tubers; the latter being very rarely documented in the region. Moreover, we underscore the presence of taxa still consumed today, or in recent times. Rescue archaeology, and the application of specialized methodologies, are critical to better nuancing past dietary practices in this region.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23442-z |
| spellingShingle | Clarissa Cagnato Pascal Nlend François Ngouoh Richard Oslisly Geoffroy de Saulieu Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa Scientific Reports |
| title | Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa |
| title_full | Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa |
| title_short | Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa |
| title_sort | analysis of early iron age 2500 bp and modern period 150 bp starch grains in western central africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23442-z |
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