A new study has shed light on the prehistoric Greek diet living in Franchthi Cave, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Researchers discovered that early inhabitants relied primarily on land-based foods, despite living near the coast, challenging long-held assumptions about ancient coastal diets.
The study, conducted by Simon Fraser University, the Greek Ministry of Culture, and the University of Bologna, analyzed human and animal remains from the cave, which dates back nearly 40,000 years.
Using advanced isotope analysis, scientists examined bones from individuals who lived during the Lower Mesolithic (8700–8300 BCE) and Middle Neolithic (6600–5800 BCE).
Land over sea, meat over fish
Franchthi Cave, located near the Bay of Koilada in southern Greece, was not always as close to the sea as it is today. During the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, the shoreline was up to two kilometers away. Rising sea levels gradually turned the region’s fertile floodplain into a bay around 4300 BCE, according to a 2018 study by the University of Bern.
The geographic distance, researchers believe, likely influenced the dietary habits of the cave’s inhabitants. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that humans relied heavily on terrestrial resources, particularly animal protein, with little evidence of significant marine food consumption, such as fish or shellfish.
Key findings of the study
Researchers analyzed collagen extracted from the bones of five humans and six animals. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the remains’ ages, placing them in distinct Mesolithic and Neolithic timeframes.
Detailed isotope analysis revealed that the diet consisted largely of terrestrial protein, such as meat from sheep, with no substantial reliance on seafood.
The Lower Mesolithic (12,000 BC-10,000 BC) individuals showed a strong preference for meat, while the Middle Neolithic (6,500 BC-4,500 BC) samples indicated a slightly more varied diet, including possible milk consumption.
Sheep, a crucial dietary source in the Neolithic period, grazed on coastal vegetation, as indicated by elevated nitrogen levels in their remains. Meanwhile, pigs and dogs appeared to have omnivorous diets influenced by human food scraps.
Limited marine use
Despite the presence of fish remains and shells at the site, marine resources appeared to play only a minor role in the diet. Any consumption of aquatic foods was likely occasional or seasonal.
Greek diet in ancient time. Mostly meat, no sea food pic.twitter.com/oPVwpDkZ3v
— Javed Alam (@jalam1001) January 21, 2025
Notably, the study did not include layers with the highest concentrations of fish bones, such as those from the Late Upper Paleolithic or Upper Mesolithic periods. This limitation means the findings reflect specific timeframes and do not capture the full extent of marine resource use at the site.
Broader implications
The findings provide fresh insights into the dietary choices of prehistoric Greek communities, emphasizing the influence of geography and access to fertile land.
By focusing on land-based food sources, these early humans demonstrated a strong adaptation to their environment, despite living in a region with potential access to marine resources.
Franchthi Cave remains a key site for understanding how ancient humans balanced environmental opportunities and constraints, offering a glimpse into the complexity of prehistoric life.