Europeans' teeth. What do they hide behind their perfect smiles?
Seaweeds in the diet of Europeans seem to be influenced by Asia. However, this is not entirely true. Archaeologists report that the first Europeans willingly consumed seaweed, a custom practiced until the early Middle Ages.
Oct 22, 2023 | updated: 5:02 AM EDT, October 23, 2023
Shocking information about the culinary habits of Europeans appeared in Nature Communications. It turns out that the ancient inhabitants of our continent feasted on seaweed. They also did not shy away from all kinds of sea and freshwater plants.
The popularity of seaweed in the diet of Europeans
Archaeologists have found evidence for the popularity of seaweed in samples of calcified dental plaque. It was obtained from 74 study participants, whose remains were discovered at archaeological sites located from northern Scotland to southern Spain.
Molecular studies of such diverse sediments have shown that the consumption of seaweed and marine and freshwater plants was common. The only exception proved to be a sample originating from the Orkney archipelago. An ancient Scot from there had traces of a specific type of sea kale on his teeth.
The change in Europeans' attitude towards seaweed
The popularity of seaweed in Europe is also indicated by written sources. Instructions on their collection can be found in Icelandic, Irish, and French writings, but none older than the 10th century. The Roman writer Pliny also mentions sea kale, but as a remedy for scurvy used by sailors.
The probable cause of Europeans' changing attitude towards seaweed is the development of agriculture. It caused foraging to gradually lose its value, and by the 18th century, seaweed was considered the "food of the starving".
