A new archaeological study has revealed that prehistoric communities in Kujawy, north-central Poland, were far more advanced in their farming practices than previously understood, actively fertilising their fields and later adopting millet as a key food source.
The study, led by Łukasz Pospieszny from the University of Gdańsk, traces daily life in the region from about 4100 to 1230 BC. Results appeared in Royal Society Open Science.
Researchers focused on physical remains rather than artefacts alone. They examined bones from 84 individuals, along with animal remains and plant material collected from more than 30 sites. Chemical signals preserved in bone collagen—specifically carbon and nitrogen isotopes—helped identify what people regularly ate.
The earliest groups relied on mixed farming. They grew cereals such as wheat and barley and kept animals for food. Grain samples showed elevated nitrogen levels, a pattern linked to fertilised soil. This points to deliberate efforts to maintain crop yields, likely using manure.
Diet across the region leaned heavily on land resources. Fish and freshwater species show up only rarely in the data.
A shift appears with the spread of communities associated with the Corded Ware culture, dated to roughly 2800–2200 BC. These groups are tied to higher consumption of animal products, including meat and dairy. Evidence suggests they settled in new locations rather than reusing farmland established by earlier inhabitants.
For many centuries, food habits changed little. Cereals and animal products remained central. That pattern broke in the Bronze Age, when millet began to appear more often in the record. The crop grows quickly and tolerates heat and dry conditions, making it a practical addition.
The timing stands out. Millet shows up suddenly rather than gradually, which researchers interpret as the result of new groups bringing it into the region.
Other contrasts between communities also emerge. Burial customs differed, with some groups using shared graves over generations while others practiced distinct forms, including paired burials. Differences in tools and bronze items appear alongside these patterns.
There are also signs of uneven access to food. Some individuals consumed more meat than others, a detail that may reflect early social differences within Bronze Age communities in Kujawy.
Sources : PAP
