Archaeologists excavating a 5,500-year-old settlement on the Danish island of Funen uncovered 14 grinding stones once believed to be used for processing cereal grains into flour. However, new analyses indicate these tools were likely used to prepare non-cereal foods, such as porridge or gruel. Researchers from Denmark, Germany, and Spain examined the stones for microscopic plant residues, finding no evidence of grain processing. Instead, they discovered wild plant remains, ruling out domesticated cereals like barley and wheat.
The study highlighted that the stones lacked wear marks typical of grain grinding, suggesting they were used differently—possibly in a crushing manner with pestles, similar to mortar use. This research aligns with findings from other Northern European sites, indicating that early farmers may have relied on a diet of water, gruel, berries, nuts, roots, and meat, rather than grain-based bread. While this study provides new insights into the dietary practices of the Funnel Beaker Culture, it is based on a single settlement, and further research could yield different results in similar contexts. The findings suggest a reevaluation of early agricultural practices in Northern Europe.
