Homo floresiensis and diet
-
- Posts: 75
- https://cutt.ly/meble-kuchenne-wroclaw
- Joined: Sat 03 Sep 2005 00:01
Homo floresiensis and diet
Most of you will probably remember when, about a year or two ago, they discovered a new species of 3 ft.-tall people (7 bodies, 18,000 years old) in Flores, Indonesia.
Perhaps like some of you, the first thing I wondered about was what their diet consisted of. And sure enough, they were mainly meat-eaters. But this is merely mentioned. Concerning their size, scientists think they got so small because they had limited food (like maybe fruit?) and fewer predators. And that makes sense, but...what else?
I automatically had to compare them to Homo ergaster, who--as most of you know--lived in Africa and were the first real nomads in history (which I like to keep in mind when I'm happily out walking every day ). They were slender, had long legs, about 6 ft tall, intelligent, and ate fruit all year round. (And this is from National Geographic, y'all, so obviously it's readily-available knowledge).
But no one except RRM and Wai (at least not that I'm aware of) ever really seem to question how they evolved into such an impressive breed. When I search on the internet, all I read is that fire was invented 1.5 million years ago after which, oops, Homo ergaster disappeared. And (infuriatingly enough) these facts are not usually stated together. Why not?!
And scientists even acknowledge that the smaller forms of Homo erectus existing at the same time of 1.8-1.5 million years ago--like those found in Dmanisi, who were 4 ft tall and had small brains-- were big meat-eaters. How could a connection to fruit-based diet vs. protein diet not be totally obvious?
Could anyone shed some light on this? Or just want to vent with me?
Perhaps like some of you, the first thing I wondered about was what their diet consisted of. And sure enough, they were mainly meat-eaters. But this is merely mentioned. Concerning their size, scientists think they got so small because they had limited food (like maybe fruit?) and fewer predators. And that makes sense, but...what else?
I automatically had to compare them to Homo ergaster, who--as most of you know--lived in Africa and were the first real nomads in history (which I like to keep in mind when I'm happily out walking every day ). They were slender, had long legs, about 6 ft tall, intelligent, and ate fruit all year round. (And this is from National Geographic, y'all, so obviously it's readily-available knowledge).
But no one except RRM and Wai (at least not that I'm aware of) ever really seem to question how they evolved into such an impressive breed. When I search on the internet, all I read is that fire was invented 1.5 million years ago after which, oops, Homo ergaster disappeared. And (infuriatingly enough) these facts are not usually stated together. Why not?!
And scientists even acknowledge that the smaller forms of Homo erectus existing at the same time of 1.8-1.5 million years ago--like those found in Dmanisi, who were 4 ft tall and had small brains-- were big meat-eaters. How could a connection to fruit-based diet vs. protein diet not be totally obvious?
Could anyone shed some light on this? Or just want to vent with me?
high fruit = high sugar = high levels of insulin growth factor = tall
Which is why people are getting taller now. The newspapers often say its because of the increased fat and protein intake but 100 years ago people generally ate more meats and animal fats.
The difference is the refined foods with high GIs. (white bread, sugary cereals, chocolate, potatoes, junk food)
High protein consumption usually = wider stature and wider stature usually = shorter.
Which is why people are getting taller now. The newspapers often say its because of the increased fat and protein intake but 100 years ago people generally ate more meats and animal fats.
The difference is the refined foods with high GIs. (white bread, sugary cereals, chocolate, potatoes, junk food)
High protein consumption usually = wider stature and wider stature usually = shorter.
Children raised on vegan diets are shorter, but usually healthier. (Children raised on vegetarian diets are no different in height from meat eaters)
The Massai (spell?) eat mainly dairy and are tall.
I don't think British/Americans consume any more dairy than they did 100 years ago...but these days cows are pumped with growth hormones, and these end up in the milk...and that's why 10 year olds today...um I don't how to put it politely....wear bras...and menstruate.
The Massai (spell?) eat mainly dairy and are tall.
I don't think British/Americans consume any more dairy than they did 100 years ago...but these days cows are pumped with growth hormones, and these end up in the milk...and that's why 10 year olds today...um I don't how to put it politely....wear bras...and menstruate.
Ah...the issue of height...
I grew taller since I went on the Wai diet but sadly, only an inch taller. However, it doesn't make any difference because I am constantly surrounded with people who are 6 feet tall or above and talking to them gives me a crick in my neck! (NO OFFENSE 6-footers!!)
I grew taller since I went on the Wai diet but sadly, only an inch taller. However, it doesn't make any difference because I am constantly surrounded with people who are 6 feet tall or above and talking to them gives me a crick in my neck! (NO OFFENSE 6-footers!!)
I wasn't raised entirely on the vegan diet but more towards the vegan side than the standard diet, so maybe that's why I am short but not too short?Children raised on vegan diets are shorter
In retrospect, we are not that tall, actually (compared to eg over 6 feet tall Homo Erectus in Kenya 1.6 million yr ago)Oscar wrote:What about dairy intake (milk growth hormones)? Here is The Netherlands the dairy intake is enormous, and the dutch are among the tallest people in the world.
There also are very tall African peoples today that dont drink milk.
Actually, they do. Milk consumption was particularly promoted and increased after WW2.Cairidh wrote: I don't think British/Americans consume any more dairy than they did 100 years ago....
Yeah, I'm just wondering whether the dairy products, and more specifically the growth factors/hormones, have any influence in growth nowadays.RRM wrote:In retrospect, we are not that tall, actually (compared to eg over 6 feet tall Homo Erectus in Kenya 1.6 million yr ago)
Do you know which peoples?RRM wrote:There also are very tall African peoples today that dont drink milk.
Oh I didn't know that. I was thinking specifically of old fashioned farmers who ate lots of dairy and yet were not as tall as 21st century people.Cairidh wrote: I don't think British/Americans consume any more dairy than they did 100 years ago....RRM wrote: Actually, they do. Milk consumption was particularly promoted and increased after WW2.
Yes, but maybe more in volume and on cellular level (also promoting tumour growth)Oscar wrote:Yeah, I'm just wondering whether the dairy products, and more specifically the growth factors/hormones, have any influence in growth nowadays.
No, I failed to remember the names, but that info should be available on the web.Do you know which peoples?
Then you are right; back then milk consumption was to some degree confined to farmers.Cairidh wrote:I was thinking specifically of old fashioned farmers who ate lots of dairy.
I was talking about averages; the average American / Brittish.