The research, led by an international team of scientists from the University of York, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, and the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Belgrade, analyzed bone collagen from humans and animals found at two Neolithic sites in Serbia: Vlasac and Vinca-Belo Brdo.
The results show that the Neolithic people in this region had a diverse diet that included a mix of plants and animals and highlight significant regional variation in subsistence practices across southeastern Europe.
- Plant-based foods: Analysis of plant remains and stable isotopes in human bones revealed that these Neolithic individuals consumed a substantial amount of plant foods such as cereals (einkorn and emmer wheat, barley), legumes (lentils, peas, and bitter vetch), and fruits (wild apples, plums, and grapes).
- Animal-based foods: The study found evidence for a wide range of animal consumption, including domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as wild animals like red deer, roe deer, aurochs, wild boar, and various fish species.
- Seasonal variations: The analysis also suggests that the Neolithic people adapted their diet to seasonal changes. During the warm seasons, they relied more heavily on plant foods and fish, while in the cold seasons, they consumed more meat from domesticated and wild animals.
- Regional differences: The comparison between the two sites, Vlasac and Vinca-Belo Brdo, revealed significant differences in dietary patterns. The inhabitants of Vlasac had a more varied diet, including a higher proportion of wild plants and animals, while the Vinca-Belo Brdo individuals consumed a larger amount of domesticated cereals and animals.
These findings contribute to our understanding of the subsistence strategies of Neolithic communities in southeastern Europe and provide new evidence for the diversity of dietary practices during the early farming period.
