ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture : 1AA3_Food and Nutrition.docx
Document Summary
Most people enjoy eating, but what they choose varies widely, whether they are living in this country or some other part of the world. The reason for these differences can be traced to many factors including the place of birth, cultural heritage, religion, individual preferences and income. The geographic origins of foods determined the diets of early people because they had to survive on whatever they could find to eat in their immediate environment. As foods became cultivated and plentiful, various cultures evolved in distant places, and special food patterns and preferences began to play an important role in celebrations and religions, as well as in daily living. Travel, conquests, and migrations gradually expanded human knowledge and experiences. Exciting tales of such travelers as marco polo introduced ideas and evidence of different cultures from distant places. Discoveries included new foods, some of which could be traded and transported to other people and places.