Latest news with #Tumulus


Time of India
09-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
3,500-year-old grave reveals: change in Bronze Age history around 1500 BC in Central Europe
Source: ScienceDaily The multidisciplinary research, based on the Bronze Age cemetery excavated at Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, which was used in both the Middle Bronze Age (Füzesabony culture) and the Late Bronze Age (Tumulus culture), allowed researchers to compare the subsistence strategies before and after the change of era. The bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom reveals new insights into an important period in Central European history. Bronze Age life changed radically around 1500 BC in Central Europe. New research reveals that diets narrowed, millet was introduced, migration slowed, and social systems became looser, challenging old ideas about the nomadic Tumulus culture herders. Scientists discover how bronze age people lived, ate, and moved around 1500 BC According to Science Daily, an international research team—led by Tamás Hajdu, associate professor at the Department of Anthropology at ELTE, and Claudio Cavazzuti, senior assistant professor at the University of Bologna—has shown that around 1500 BC, radical changes occurred in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized. The research, supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, examined whether the archaeologically observed settlement changes around 1500 BC indicated a lifestyle change—whether people began to follow a way of life based on animal husbandry and frequent migration instead of settled farming. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders turn to IC Markets for optimum CFD trading conditions IC Markets Sign Up Undo The team also sought to answer whether the spread of the Tumulus culture meant the arrival of new groups, or whether the local population continued their lives with only the material culture changing. Outcomes of the archaeological results Diet Changed: Scientists studied ancient bones and found that during the Middle Bronze Age, people ate a wider variety of foods, and some had better access to meat and animal products than others. This showed a clear difference between rich and poor. But in the Late Bronze Age, diets became more uniform but poorer. Most people ate similar things—mainly plant-based—and animal protein became less common in their meals. Broomcorn Millet Was Introduced: Researchers found evidence that broomcorn millet, a fast-growing, energy-rich grain, started being eaten around the start of the Late Bronze Age. The cemetery at Tiszafüred shows the earliest known use of millet in Europe. This grain probably helped communities feed themselves more reliably, even if their diet became simpler. Mobility Decreased: People traveled and moved around less. By looking at the chemicals in people's teeth and bones, scientists discovered that fewer people moved into the area during the Late Bronze Age compared to earlier times. In the Middle Bronze Age, some people living in Tiszafüred had come from nearby regions like the Upper Tisza area or the Carpathian Mountains. But in the Late Bronze Age, most people were locals, and those who did move in likely came from farther away, such as Transdanubia or the Southern Carpathians. Social Relations Changed: Society became less structured. At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, the long-used tell settlements were abandoned, and people lived in less centralized settlement networks. This change created a looser, less organized social system, which is also reflected in dietary habits. According to microremains found in dental calculi and the aforementioned isotopic analyses, significantly less animal protein was consumed during this period than before. This contradicts the earlier idea that people belonging to the Tumulus culture were mainly engaged in animal husbandry Also read | Rare birds return on restored wetland at Wicket Fen


Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Millets are no modern fad: Bronze Age humans consumed this gluten-free grain, here's why
Scientists dig up how diet changed and transformed society during the Bronze Age. People these days are swapping wheat with a more nutritious grain - millet. But this isn't just another modern health trend. Millets have been a staple in the diet for centuries. A recent study has found that millet was already revolutionizing diets as far as the Bronze Age. People from the Tumulus culture, the ones who lived in Central Europe during the Middle Bronze Age, were believed to be mostly pastoralists. However, a recent study has challenged this long-held belief and given insight into the shifts seen around 1500 BC, including lifestyle changes in Central European history. The findings of the bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, led by an international research team, are published in the journal Scientific Reports . Around 1500 BC, there were radical changes in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized. How diet changed Nitrogen isotope studies show that during the Middle Bronze Age, people had a more diverse diet, and social differences were clear, especially in who had access to animal protein. By the Late Bronze Age, these differences faded, and diets became more uniform but less nutritious. Broomcorn millet was introduced The carbon isotope analyses found that people consumed millet. As the plant can be grown quickly and has a high energy content, it became quite a popular option towards the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. Yes, that's right. Millets are no modern trend; they have been part of our diets for centuries. The data from the Tiszafüred Bronze Age cemetery indicate the earliest known consumption of millet in Europe. Stay ready with these 7 essential medical gadgets as COVID cases rise Nutritional value of millets Millets have numerous health benefits. Grown in India, Nigeria, and other Asian and African countries, the small round grains are gluten-free and have high amounts of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. One cup (174 grams) of cooked millet contains: Calories: 207 Carbs: 41 grams Fiber: 2.2 grams Protein: 6 grams Fat: 1.7 grams Phosphorus: 25% of the Daily Value (DV) Magnesium: 19% of the DV Folate: 8% of the DV Iron: 6% of the DV How diet changed social relations Social relationships changed during the Late Bronze Age. People stopped living in long-established, tightly organized tell-settlements and instead lived in smaller, more spread-out communities. This shift led to a looser and less structured social system, which also showed up in their diets. The analysis of the teeth and isotope tests revealed that people ate much less animal protein than before. This goes against the earlier belief that the Tumulus culture mainly focused on animal husbandry. Millets are today opted for their nutritional value and also as a gluten-free option, especially for those with gluten intolerance. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change