Men ate more protein than women in ancient Europe, skeleton study finds

An extensive study analyzing over 12,000 ancient European skeletons has revealed a persistent dietary disparity between men and women, with men historically consuming more protein than their female counterparts. Researchers from Simon Fraser University in Canada, in collaboration with French institutions, reconstructed the diets of ancient Europeans over the past 10,000 years by examining nitrogen and carbon isotopes in bones and teeth.

The findings indicate that while the differences were smallest during the early Neolithic farming communities, they began to increase with the advent of the Bronze Age. This rise in inequality coincided with the development of more complex social structures and agricultural practices. The most significant gaps in protein consumption between genders were recorded during classical antiquity, spanning from the 7th century BCE to the 5th century CE.

While biological factors like differing energy needs between sexes might account for some variation, the study's authors emphasize that social and cultural influences were likely the primary drivers of this dietary imbalance. The acquisition of meat, a key source of protein, often required greater effort or expense, making it a more prestigious food item more frequently allocated to men. This social stratification in diet also extended to different social classes, becoming particularly pronounced in the Middle Ages.

“

In ancient societies, obtaining meat required greater effort or involved higher costs. Such food could therefore be perceived as more prestigious and more often went to men.