Neolithic Feasting: Unraveling Eastern Sudan’s Plant-Based Diet from Dental Calculus Analysis”.

Researchers from the universities of Padua, “La Sapienza” of Rome, “L’Orientale” of Naples, Coimbra, and the Museum of Civilizations of Rome conducted a study titled “Direct evidence of plant consumption in Neolithic Eastern Sudan from dental calculus analysis”. The research focused on analyzing dental tartar to understand the eating habits of human groups in eastern Sudan during the Neolithic period, between the 4th and 2nd millennium BC.

Through the analysis of tartar on human teeth from archaeological sites in eastern Sudan, researchers were able to gain insight into the food exploitation of plant resources during the Neolithic era. The study revealed that cereals, legumes, and tubers were essential components of the diet in eastern Sudan during the Neolithic era. It also identified preparation techniques such as grinding and cooking, shedding light on food processing during that time.

The research highlighted adaptation strategies of human groups in response to changes in climate and landscape over time, particularly in relation to the drying climate in eastern Sudan starting from the 2nd millennium BC. This study was part of a larger mission led by Professor Emanuela Cristiani at DANTE laboratory at University of Rome as part of Italian Archaeological Expedition to Eastern Sudan and Italian Institute for Middle East. The aim is to integrate various anthropological and cultural evidence to reconstruct prehistory diet and technology.