The Clovis people's diet was heavily reliant on large animals, particularly mammoths, indicating a significant hunting culture.
The extinction of mammoths may be linked to human hunting practices and environmental changes during the Ice Age.
Stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool for understanding ancient diets and environmental interactions.
Further research may uncover more about the interactions between early humans and megafauna.
The findings could lead to a reevaluation of the role of human hunting in prehistoric extinctions.
New Insights into the Clovis Diet: Mammoths as a Staple Food
A recent study has shed light on the dietary habits of the Clovis people, who lived in North America during the last Ice Age. Researchers analyzed the remains of an 18-month-old child, known as Anzic Boy, discovered in southern Montana, revealing that large animals, particularly mammoths, were a significant part of their diet. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, indicate that approximately 96 percent of the mother's diet consisted of megafauna, with mammoths alone accounting for about 40 percent.
The Role of Megafauna in Clovis Culture
The study highlights the importance of megafauna such as mammoths, elk, bison, camels, and horses in the Clovis diet. The Columbian mammoth, which could reach heights of 4 meters and weigh around 11 tonnes, was a prime target for hunters. To hunt these massive creatures, the Clovis people developed specialized tools, including large stone spearheads and sharp knives, showcasing their adaptation to the environment and their reliance on these large animals for sustenance.
Environmental Impact and Extinction
The research also suggests that the Clovis people's focus on hunting mammoths may have contributed to the extinction of these giant animals around 11,700 years ago. As the climate warmed, mammoth habitats shrank, further threatening their survival. The study utilized stable isotope analysis to determine the diet of Anzic Boy's mother, providing a detailed understanding of the food sources available during that era. Archaeologist Ben Potter emphasized that these findings not only illuminate the diets of the Clovis people but also the environmental impacts of human hunting during a pivotal time in Earth's history.
