Food Science and Technology

Honey-collecting in prehistoric West Africa from 3500 years ago

J. Dunne, A. Höhn, et al.

This groundbreaking study led by Julie Dunne and her team uncovers evidence of honey collection in prehistoric West Africa, revealing that early farming communities in the Nok culture were utilizing beeswax over 3500 years ago. This finding emphasizes honey's probable role in their diet and subsistence strategies.

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Abstract

This study investigates the exploitation of bee products, particularly honey, in prehistoric West Africa. Lipid residue analysis of 458 pottery vessels from the Nok culture in Nigeria revealed the presence of beeswax in over one-third of the lipid-yielding vessels, providing direct chemical evidence of honey collecting around 3500 years ago. This highlights the probable importance of honey in the diet and subsistence of early farming communities in West Africa.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Apr 14, 2021

Authors

Julie Dunne, Alexa Höhn, Gabriele Franke, Katharina Neumann, Peter Breunig, Toby Gillard, Caitlin Walton-Doyle, Richard P. Evershed

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