Extinct Species of Early Human Survived On Grass Bulbs, Not Meat 318
Philip Ross writes "Fresh analysis of an extinct relative of humans suggests our ancient ancestors dined primarily on tiger nuts, which are edible grass bulbs, settling a discrepancy over what made up prehistoric diets. According to a new study published in the journal PLOS One, the strong-jawed ancient hominin known as Paranthropus boisei, nicknamed 'Nutcracker Man,' which roamed East Africa between 2.4 million and 1.4 million years ago, survived on a diet scientists previously thought implausible."
What's next - tiger penis? (Score:5, Funny)
Tiger nuts? Not meat? (Score:5, Funny)
Come on... it's funny and you know it.
But okay. Humanoids who didn't eat meat, didn't make the evolutionary cut.
Take THAT "vegetarians."
Extinct species survived (Score:5, Funny)
Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day (Score:5, Funny)
What did they do with the rest of their day?
Not (enough) sex, otherwise they wouldn't be extinct
Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day (Score:4, Funny)
Whew.
If the prerequisite hurdle for reproduction includes a steady diet of tiger nuts, I, for one, an quite certainly glad those bad motherfskerers aren't around to compete with for mates.
Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat? (Score:5, Funny)
Indeed. Humans are the best long distance runners on the planet, and we evolved that way so that we could chase our prey until they died of exhaustion.
I thought we evolved that way so that Reebok could sell us new shoes. Huh.
Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day (Score:5, Funny)
What did they do with the rest of their day?
Probably proselytize to their meat-eating neighbors about how their vegetarian diet is superior.
Eat Meat! (Score:2, Funny)
Now scientifically proven.
.
Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat? (Score:5, Funny)
You wouldn't believe the stamina of an onion on the chase. No wonder our forefathers could run so well.
Re:A blow to vegetarians (Score:3, Funny)
...being a vegetarian is bad for the longevity of the species, and thus wrong.
Humans did not evolve to be vegetarians. Vegetarians and particularly vegans will end up needing to take supplements of some vitamins found solely in meat (e.g. vitamin B12).
Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day (Score:2, Funny)
What did they do with the rest of their day?
Probably proselytize to their meat-eating neighbors about how their vegetarian diet is superior.
Who got fed up with hearing that crap that they killed them off... :)
Re:I object (Score:4, Funny)
Since your comment history strongly suggests you are American and the study was carried out by paleoanthropologists from Oxford University, I can safely say you have no need to be concerned about your tax dollars funding this research.
Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat? (Score:5, Funny)
I dreamed I was a dinosaur
A mighty fearsome beast
All day I'd run and hunt for fun
On weaker beasts I'd feast
Then I thought "I am a man,
the fiercest beast of all"
And then I went and hunted down
A giant pretzel at the mall.
Re:They foraged for 2-3 hours per day (Score:4, Funny)
They scrawled graffiti on public rocks. We humanoids haven't evolved much since then.
Re:Birmingham, England is NOT in India. (Score:5, Funny)
In England, people typically don't eat penises.
It must be this little fact that accounts for the high divorce rate. It's the French, who fuck with their faces, and fight with their feet... ;-)
Re:Tiger nuts? Not meat? (Score:3, Funny)
Ask a sprinter how'd he'd fare being chased by a group of marathoner's for a day or two that had spears. Their endurance wouldn't last. Now put him in a fur coat and take away his sweat glands.
You know, this is why Mom won't let us play with you any more.