Analysing Milk and Dairy Consumption in Ancient Societies: Bioarchaeological, Evolutionary and Human Social Perspectives

Cláudia Gomes (), César López-Matayoshi, Gerard Remolins, Juan F. Gibaja, M. Eulàlia Subirà, Maria Fondevila, Sara Palomo-Díez, Ana María López-Parra, Elena Labajo-González, Maria Victoria Lareu, Bernardo Perea-Pérez and Eduardo Arroyo-Pardo
Additional contact information
Cláudia Gomes: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
César López-Matayoshi: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Gerard Remolins: ReGiraRocs S.L.U, Recerca, Conservació i Difusó del Patrimoni Cultural i Natural dels Pirineus, AD700 Les Escaldes, Andorra
Juan F. Gibaja: Institucion Milá y Fontanals en Humanidades (IMF-CSIC), 08001 Barcelona, Spain
M. Eulàlia Subirà: Grup de Recerca en Antropologia Biològica (GREAB), Unitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Department Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
Maria Fondevila: Institute of Forensic Sciences (INCIFOR), Forensic Genetics Service, Santiago de Compostela University, Santiago de Compostela, 15704 A Coruña, Spain
Sara Palomo-Díez: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Ana María López-Parra: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Elena Labajo-González: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Maria Victoria Lareu: Institute of Forensic Sciences (INCIFOR), Forensic Genetics Service, Santiago de Compostela University, Santiago de Compostela, 15704 A Coruña, Spain
Bernardo Perea-Pérez: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Eduardo Arroyo-Pardo: Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Background: In prehistoric societies, especially in the Neolithic period, the study of the palaeodiet assumes special importance as it is one of the points in human history characterised by important changes in diet. In this context, the study of food intolerances is even more significant. Methods: Some of the individuals studied were analysed from a genetic point of view, while a systematic literature review was performed from a genetic perspective, verifying the persistence or absence of lactase in adulthood, and information from necropolises regarding the presence of biomarkers linked to possible consumption of dairy products was analysed. Results: The results indicate a clear majority of individuals with hypolactasia in adulthood, although in a Pyrenean necropolis, studied here for the first time, the lactase persistence allele was already detected. Dairy consumption was also verified to be widespread in very early Neolithic periods. Conclusions: From a population perspective, this study enables a deeper understanding of past populations’ daily lives, expanding our perspective on their dietary patterns. From an evolutionary standpoint, it illuminates a pivotal point in human history and evolution within the European context, where past and modern dairy consumption, particularly cheese, has profound implications for both present and past economies.

Keywords: Neolithic; lactose; ancient DNA; milk; dairy; cheese (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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