Snake snacks? Hunter-gatherer diets in northern Israel included reptiles, new study suggests

Ancient inhabitants of northern Israel, known as Natufians, consumed reptiles like lizards and snakes around 15,000 years ago, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings come from excavations at the 'el-wad Terrace' archaeological site on Mount Carmel, which has revealed 20 layers of repeated settlements dating back 15,000 to 12,000 years.

“

Lizards and snakes became an important part of their diet during this period.

Researchers, led by Dr. Maayan Lev, meticulously examined thousands of lizard and snake bones. For the first time, they identified incisions made by flint knives on snake bones, providing direct evidence of butchering for consumption. The study also distinguished between reptile remains that died naturally and those that were prepared as food for humans.

“

Through meticulous microscopic examinations, we then were able to distinguish reptile remains that died naturally at the site or were preyed upon by mammals and birds from those that served as food for humans.

The study identified bones from large whip snakes and eastern Montpellier snakes. Indirect evidence also suggests the Natufians ate European glass lizards, though their tougher scales required different preparation. The researchers hypothesize that the Natufians favored larger, slower, and less dangerous reptiles, such as glass lizards and harmless snakes, while venomous vipers were rarely caught. The consistent presence of these reptile remains across multiple archaeological layers indicates they were a reliable food source for the settled Natufians.

“

Our hypothesis is that the Natufian people preferred to catch reptiles that were relatively large, relatively slow and not dangerous.