Israeli researchers say legume major part of prehistoric man's diet in Near East

Legumes constituted a central part of the diet of human beings in the near east 10,000 years ago, Israeli researchers said on Sunday.

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot examined fava seeds that archeologists found during excavations at Neolithic sites in the northern Galilee region in the past couple of years.

These findings indicate that Legumes, mainly fava beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas, were a central part of the diet of prehistoric men living in the Near East about 10,000 years ago. The seeds were preserved in storage pits, according to the researchers.

"This is an important discovery, enabling a deeper understanding of the agricultural revolution in the southern Near East," the Israel Antiquities Authority said.

The researchers added that it appears that Legumes were the first species of grains to be domesticated, rather than cereal, also a central part of the diet in the region.

"Now it is clear that the area of the Galilee was the main producer of legumes in prehistoric times," the researchers said, specifically mentioning the time of the agricultural revolution.

They concluded that the fava seeds discovered and analyzed are the world's oldest domesticated fava seeds, dating back to 10,125-10,200 years ago. Enditem