Scientists have found evidence that suggests ancient cavemen were grinding their own flour and preparing vegetables for meals at least 30,000 years ago.
The discoveries represent the oldest evidence for flour preparation and plant food processing by prehistoric humans, and possibly Neanderthals, who had incorporated far more plant products into their diets than presently believed.
Researchers at the Italian Institute of Prehistory and Protohistory, who based their study on the findings of ancient kitchen tools, said the cavemen were apparently expert cooks and preparing tasty food is not unique to modern times. “Cooking enhances digestibility and also the taste of starch is improved by cooking,” said lead author Anna Revedin, adding that it also helped to fuel the active lifestyle of hunter-gatherers.
“We are quite convinced that flour enhanced their mobility capacity, since it ensured a good source of energetic food during their travels,” Revedin told Discovery News.
She and her colleagues analysed mortar and pestle-type stones that were found at three sites: Bilancino II in the Megello Valley of Italy, Kostenki 16 at Pokrovsky Valley in Russia, and Pavlov VI in southern Moravia, Czech Republic. Since modern humans as well as Neanderthals inhabited these regions, the researchers believe it could be possible that either or both groups had cooking know-how.
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Want your man to grant you wish? Wait for 6 pm
London: Men are more likely to grant a woman’s request if she waits until 6 pm to ask for it, a UK survey has found.
Wishes can range from taking out the rubbish to a romantic weekend away. However, the poll of more than 1,000 men and women suggests that henpecked husbands should steer clear of having a row mid-afternoon, because 3pm is the best time for the fairer sex to win an argument.
According to the poll carried out for pharmaceuticals giant and contraceptives manufacturer Bayer Schering Pharma, when it comes to asking for a pay rise or promotion, a woman would do best not to pounce on the boss when he or she arrives for work in the morning, but to wait until 1pm.
This is the time that managers are likely to be most receptive to employees’ demands.
Women, however, will be glad to know that they are not the only sex affected by “mood swings”, with the male mindset also changing over the course of the day.
—ANI