evolution and meat eating
We evolved from primates: The australopithecines evolved in Africa about 5 million years ago and they shared a common ancestor with modern chimpanzees, who have (and had) a significant amount of meat in thier diet. They hunt, usually in groups, sometimes with simple tools.
So we were physiologically and biochemically prepared to eat meat even at the time of earliest fossil record, but for a time, we were certainly limited in terms of tools (and big and slow, as someone pointed out...) Which brings the idea that we may have been meat eaters of opportunity, possibly scavengers to some extent?
It's interesting too that neither primates nor humans know instinctively what to eat. We learn from watching others.
-Cynth
Re: evolution and meat eating
Quote:
Originally posted by Ming Yue
It's interesting too that neither primates nor humans know instinctively what to eat. We learn from watching others.
aye. if they fall over dead, don't eat what they ate.
it also may why many people have a natural aversion to bitter foods, as many plants and such poisonous to humans are quite bitter. people who don't like bitter foods spat out what to them tasted like ass. people who like bitter foods were more likely to eat them and, thus, keel over a few minutes later.