Researchers found that the ancient Egyptians tended to eat more fruits and vegetables.
By measuring the carbon isotopes of Egyptian mummies who lived between 3500 BC and 600 BC, a team of French researchers discovered the food menu of the ancient Egyptians. As a result, experts have found that eating a lot of meat is a recent phenomenon, and Egyptians in ancient cultures tend to be more vegetarians.
Bread, fruits, vegetables like eggplant and garlic were the favorites of the ancient Egyptians. Meat and fish were foods rarely enjoyed by the ancient Egyptians.
People usually eat only one type of bread which is unleavened bread, onions, and sometimes fish. They drank fermented drinks and very rarely ate beef, except on holidays or given by the pharaohs.
The food of the rich is much more varied, they have about 15 different types of bread in their meals, served with common vegetables such as: lentils, lettuce, cucumbers, onions and radishes. Meats from cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are also often included in the meal.
To uncover this secret, the team of experts measured the carbon-13 isotope in bone, tooth enamel and hair and compared it to previous results. Hair absorbs a higher percentage of animal protein than bones and teeth.
Compared to the matching mom’s hair samples found in the hair of modern European vegetarians, experts have found many similarities. Therefore, the team confirms that the ancient Egyptians were primarily vegetarians.
However, the team was also a little surprised to find that “the diet of the ancient Egyptians did not change much over time. Although they are in the Nile region, many people believe that the ancient Egyptians were ancient. Living along the Nile will consume fish. in large quantities. But the truth is, fish doesn’t appear so much in every daily meal. “
Kate Spence – an archaeologist and expert on ancient Egypt shared: “There are a lot of images in the reliefs that show the ancient Egyptians fishing, but fish was not a favorite food of the ancient Egyptians. is a strange thing. “