The Fat from Frozen Mammals Reveals Sources of Essential Fatty Acids Suitable for Palaeolithic and Neolithic Humans

Abstract

The elucidation of the sources of n-3 fatty acids available for the humans in the Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic is highly relevant in order to ascertain the availability of such nutrients in that time frame as well as to draw useful conclusions about healthy dietary habits for present-day humans. To this end, we have analysed fat from several frozen mammals found in the permafrost of Siberia (Russia). A total of 6 specimens were included in this study: 2 mammoths, i.e. baby female calf called “Lyuba” and a juvenile female called “Yuka”, both specimens approximately from the same time, i.e. Karginian Interstadial (41,000 and 34,000 years BP); two adult horses from the middle Holocene (4,600 and 4,400 years BP); and two bison very close to the Early Holocene (8,200 and 9,300 years BP). All samples were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) and GLC-flame ionization detector (GLC-FID). As demonstrated in this work, the fat of single-stomached mammals often consumed by Palaeolithic/Neolithic hunters contained suitable amounts of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, possibly in quantities sufficient to meet the today's recommended daily intake for good health. Moreover, the results also suggest that mammoths and horses at that time were hibernators.

Elephant and Mammoth Hunting during the Paleolithic: A Review of the Relevant Archaeological, Ethnographic and Ethno-Historical Records

“…This repeated pattern of young proboscidean procurement suggests that age played a significant role in their selection, possibly due to nutritional considerations and the relative ease of procurement (under specific conditions, such as the lack of protection by mature females due to separation from the herd) and transportation. Another possible consideration is that of taste, implying that young proboscideans tasted better and provided specific nutrients due to their high concentrations of specific fat deposits, tenderer meat and the presence of higher quality fat in certain organs [55,113].…”

Evolution of the Human Brain: the key roles of DHA (omega-3 fatty acid) and Δ6-desaturase gene

“…Cold climate fauna lived north of the Pyrenees and the Alps, with mainly reindeer and, less frequently, mammoths, bison, and horses (Equus gracilis). The sub-cutaneous fat of monogastric mammals (horses and mammoths) provided large quantities of ALA (around 20% of total fatty acids) (Guil-Guerrero et al, 2013;Guil-Guerrero et al, 2014). This ALA content is also completely dependent on the plants grazed, in particular omega-3 rich lichen (Sampels, 2005).…”

Carne equina: producción, consumo y valor nutricional

“…Algunos estudios han reportado diferencias significativas en la concentración de proteína de diferentes músculos 45 , mientras que otros no 27 . Por ejemplo, en los trabajos desarrollados por Tateo et al 45 , la concentración de proteína de los músculos semimembranoso y longísimo dorsal fue significativamente diferente (19,6 vs. 21,7%, respectivamente). Por el contrario, Lorenzo et al 27 no reportaron diferencias significativas en la cantidad de proteína de seis músculos diferentes (longísimo dorsal, semimembranoso, semitendinoso, bíceps femoral, tríceps braquial y psoas mayor y menor), cuyo valor promedio fue de 22%.…”

“…Algunos autores han encontrado PUFA de cadena larga como EPA, DPA y DHA en la carne equina, y han sugerido que el consumo de esta carne con la grasa subcutánea, podría suplir la ingesta recomendada de estos ácidos grasos esenciales de cadena larga 18,19 , que varía entre 250 a 610 mg/día para personas adultas 4 .…”