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Insects have been part of the human diet for thousands of years, although many people find them unusual today. This is the point made by Professor Lisa-Marie Shillito of the Department of Archaeology at Durham University in a study published in the journal World Archaeology. According to this work, archaeology can shed light on how we think about sustainable food and alternative proteins.
Archaeological traces of insect consumption
According to data reported by Phys.org, archaeological sites around the world provide evidence of insect consumption. Researchers have identified these traces in ancient human faeces, on tools and cooking utensils, as well as in remains showing how these animals were gathered and stored.
The archaeology of food relies on this kind of indirect and often subtle evidence. An organic residue on a tool or a storage structure can reveal a food use that would not be suspected at first glance.
North America and Australia: ancient examples
In North America, archaeological discoveries show that people ate grasshoppers, beetles and other insects. Sources also mention evidence from Australia: moth larvae, or bogong moths, are said to have been cooked and then ground into food around 2,000 years ago.
These examples show that eating insects is nothing exceptional in the history of humanity. It belongs to locally developed food know-how, sometimes highly sophisticated.
Practices that are still alive today
Insects remain an important part of traditional diets in many regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Grasshoppers, for example, are eaten in Uganda and Mexico, among other places.
Attitudes towards these foods vary between cultures and change over time. In many Western societies, by contrast, insects provoke disgust despite a long history of use as food.
The archaeologist's critical look at her own biases
Lisa-Marie Shillito points out that insects are often presented as the food of tomorrow. According to her, for many populations they already form part of a long culinary heritage. She stresses that archaeologists themselves may overlook these traces if they do not consider insects to be food.
This reflection invites us to question what counts as food, including within the discipline itself. Recognising this history can, according to the author, help us think differently about what we will eat in the future.
Environmental interest and outlook
Insects can offer environmental advantages over many conventional livestock systems. Depending on the species and the farming method, their production can require less land and generate fewer greenhouse gases per unit of edible protein.
The study argues that integrating insects into the human food heritage would help people see alternative proteins not as a foreign novelty, but as part of a long history of food choices. The researchers hope this will encourage more diverse and more resilient food systems.
Frequently asked questions
Were insects eaten in prehistoric times?
Archaeological data show that insects have been eaten for thousands of years in different regions of the world. Researchers identify these uses through traces in ancient faeces, on tools and in storage structures. These clues often remain subtle and require careful interpretation.
Why can archaeology help us think about sustainable food?
According to the study published in World Archaeology, the history of insect consumption sheds light on ancient food practices. It helps put into perspective the idea that insects are a novelty. This perspective can inform reflection on alternative proteins.
Are insects better for the environment than meat?
It depends on the species and the farming method. According to the reported data, insect farming can use less land and produce fewer greenhouse gases per unit of edible protein than some conventional livestock farming. The overall balance must therefore be assessed case by case.
Which countries still eat insects today?
Insects remain part of traditional diets in many regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Grasshoppers are notably mentioned in Uganda and Mexico. These practices vary considerably between cultures.
Sources
Original summary written with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited, checked automatically, then translated from the French original. Information and quotations belong to their authors. Read the French original.
