Our latest research has shown that African communities were able to endure stark changes in climate in less than 10,000 years by pivoting their food systems. One unexpected contribution of our study was to show the strength and resilience of these communities. To meet the realities of changing environments, they artfully mix herding, farming, fishing and foraging. As the world today grapples with an ever-volatile climate, these time-honored livelihood strategies yield important insights for contemporary societies.
Looking at what’s left of the African Humid Period, which ended around 5,500 years ago. At the same time, profound environmental changes required communities to adapt rapidly away from what had long been customary. In areas such as Botswana and Zimbabwe, communities integrated horticulture with bushmeat and domestic animal hunting. Indeed, these adaptations were essential for survival, as the Asian landscape changed from a moister to an exceedingly arid climate.
These older African societies were extraordinarily adaptable. Perhaps this is why pastoral systems remain so relevant even today, especially in areas of the world facing increasing aridity. By studying the patterns of adaptation through history, researchers aim to provide a blueprint for contemporary societies grappling with climate change.
Understanding the African Humid Period
From about 14,700 to 5,500 years ago, large swaths of Africa enjoyed the African Humid Period. When these conditions persisted, wetter times created opportunities for these communities to flourish with rich and varied food sources. The rich waters allowed for diverse farming and fishing techniques, supporting a large population and advanced culture.
As the climate started changing for the drier around 5,500 years ago, these flourishing cultures experienced serious repercussions. The transition required them to re-imagine how they produced food and grapple with the changing climates impacting their environments. That period of transition was a watershed moment in the ways that Americans interacted with their landscapes and natural resources.
The conclusion of the African Humid Period witnessed significant social, cultural, and environmental changes throughout the continent. For communities that relied on easily accessible, clean water, it was an immediate crisis. They pivoted almost immediately to figure out new ways to find food and nourish their communities. At the time, these changes marked the beginning of an extraordinary transformation in food systems that would define the continent for thousands of years.
Adaptive Food Systems in Southeastern Africa
In southeast Africa, especially starting about 2,000 years ago, we see a strong increase in complex and varied livelihood strategies. Communities in this region began blending herding, farming, and foraging in complex ways that responded effectively to local environmental conditions. This combination suited them to maximizing resources on hand and minimizing the costs tied to the uncertainty of a changing climate.
For example, communities in Egypt and Sudan successfully mixed crop farming, focusing on staples like wheat, barley, and legumes, with fishing, dairy production, and beer brewing. These mixtures offered both nutritional diversity and economic resilience. With a combination of resourcefulness and creativity, these communities’ holistic relationships were the key to adaptive living and surviving in the face of abrupt environmental crises.
The study found that communities that combined multiple types of food production delivered on-the-ground decisions that were made based on local community needs. It was their versatility that saw them through. Further, it established a foundation to ensure coming generations can flourish even as the world around them changes.
Archaeological Insights into Ancient Practices
Scientists wanted to find out more about the inner workings of ancient food systems. They conducted a systematic study of chemical signatures, or isotopes, preserved in human and livestock bones from 187 archaeological sites across Africa. This isotopic data provided scientists with the first opportunity to trace major changes in people’s livelihoods through time over the course of thousands of years.
We found that pastoral systems are overrepresented at archaeological sites compared to every other food system. This widespread occurrence raises the possibility that herding was key to helping these communities adapt and thrive through dramatically fluctuating climatic conditions. By unpacking these patterns using archaeological evidence, the scholars of extracting the past have shed light on how these ancient practices hold value today.
The research highlights that the flexibility of past food systems offers an essential model for tackling today’s climate crises. Today, societies are increasingly being put to the test by the impacts of climate change. It’s imperative that in understanding Africa’s past adaptations, we create current strategies that build food security and resilience.