From Plate to Planet: Reconstructing the Sustainable Food System of an Early Bronze Age Society
|
Researchers |
Ninar AlJerf, Abdullah H. Maad, Muaaz Alajlani and Loai Aljerf |
|
Published in |
Human Ecology, online first article, September 2025. |
|
Abstract |
Our study presents a new, integrated reconstruction of the Early Bronze Age Ebla society food system (around 3,500 BCE), combining archaeological, textual, biochemical, and paleoenvironmental data. We introduce a quantitative framework to assess sustainability, social, economic, environmental, and nutritional (SSEEN) indexes, offering a comprehensive evaluation of resource management and dietary practices. Our findings reveal a highly sophisticated and resilient food system with deep agroecological knowledge and diverse plant-based production supported by advanced food processing and preservation techniques. The analysis shows how Ebla’s society adapted to environmental changes through innovative farming methods, managed resource distribution via a centralized economy, and integrated food into its social and cultural life to ensure long-term food security. The sustainability indexes highlight key resilience factors like high biodiversity and efficient waste management, while also pointing out social inequalities in food sharing. These data-driven insights into Ebla’s adaptive strategies provide a valuable historical model, informing modern efforts to develop resilient, environmentally sustainable, and nutritionally equitable food systems in the Levant and beyond—merging ancient wisdom with modern needs for planetary health. Key words: Agroecosystem, Dietary reconstruction, Early bronze age, Nutritional profile, Resource management, Sustainability, Ebla, Syria. |
|
Link to abstract |
