Ancient Teeth Samples Show that Prehistoric People Munched on Weeds

It might not have been the tastiest meal, but it worked during prehistoric times.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain found that ancestors in Africa munched on weeds such as the purple nutsedge for sustenance. According to findings published in the journal PLOS ONE, ancient teeth samples from an archaeological dig near the Nile River revealed their old food choice.

Researchers examined 14 people buried at Al Khiday in central Sudan, dating their skeletons back to about 6,700 B.C.--a time when prehistoric people relied primarily on hunting and gathering throughout agricultural periods.

An in-depth analysis of the hardened grime found on the dental samples showed that most of them shared a chemical composition with nutsedge. Furthermore, an inspection of granules also revealed that they likely ate the food raw or lightly heated.

Though purple nutsedge is typically rich in carbohydrates, many modern-day farmers said they consider the plants annoying and difficult to deal with. For instance, their tuberous and deep roots can make pulling them from the soil difficult.

"It's a veggie, weedy thing," said Karen Hardy, a professor of prehistoric archeology at the university, via Live Science. "It's very prolific. That's why it's such a problem for farmers today."

The plant is most commonly grown in tropical areas and though it is not typically eaten as a snack, today, it is still used in some herbal medicines found in the Far East, the Middle East and India.