Scientists of Altai State University, together with colleagues from Germany, explore the "paleo diet" of ancient people

In August 2021, as part of the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the National Museum of the Altai Republic named after A.V. Anokhin and Altai State University carried out a planned study of individual archaeological collections by a group of researchers. The work was supervised by Aleksey Tishkin, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Institute of History and International Relations of Altai State University. Professor of the Institute of Prehistoric and Early Historical Archeology of the Christian Albrecht University of Kiel (Kiel, Germany) Cheryl Makarevich took part in the research. The official website of the National Museum reported about the findings of scientists.

With the help of a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, Professor Alexei Tishkin obtained definitions of the composition of ancient non-ferrous metal products. The use of this device allows obtaining results in non-destructive ways. Particular attention was paid to the collection of ancient metal boilers and weapons from the early Scythian time. Comprehensive photographing of the findings, as well as graphic sketches and descriptions, became important.

The direction of the German scientist's activity was the identification of traces of cooking, preserved on the ceramic dishes of the Afanasyev culture of Altai during the Eneolithic period (late IV - early III millennium BC). Professor Cheryl Makarevich briefly introduced the director of the National Museum to modern methods of studying the paleo diet, which played an important role in the life support system of ancient people.

Preliminary studies have shown that the population of the Afanasyev culture of Altai were typical cattle breeders. In addition to the meat of cattle and small ruminants, they ate dairy products. Further analyzes should detail the use of other food resources that Altai is rich in, sums up the museum's Internet resource.

Based on the results of cooperation, scientific articles will be prepared, and the new information received will complement museum excursions, the official website of the museum writes.