> One of the interesting things about reading textbooks about ancient humans is learning about how the human diet has changed — and how it's stayed the same. A lot of archaeological work involves digging through midden piles for detritus, and a lot of the trash archaeologists use comes from [pottery shards](https://eleanorkonik.com/ceramics/) and discarded [bones](https://eleanorkonik.com/bones/) %% ( [[2021-11-22 Bones]] ) %%. I've been cooking a lot of bone broth lately, and it got me to wondering — how else are bones used for food? ## Quick Facts - Bone marrow is highly caloric and nutrient dense, making it one of the first "brain foods" available to early humans. - Dogs and wolves, when given carcass scraps, will gravitate toward cracking bones with high marrow content - The taste of bone marrow is described as possessing a subtle, creamy nuttiness that is rich and sometimes sweet. - The modern marrow spoon was developed in the 1680s. - Bone marrow makes up about 4% of an adult human's weight. ## Cracking the Bone Tool use was an advantage early humans had in terms of getting at bone marrow; it's best done with something like an axe or saw, or a big rock... or the ability to fly; vultures crack bones by dropping them from up high. [[Read More](https://www.marksdailyapple.com/bone-marrow-recipe/)] ## Getting the Marrow Cracking open large bones to get at the marrow inside takes either skill (sucking the marrow from the bone) or tools (to break open the bone; this is more often done to aid children). It is still considered an important part of a social meal in some parts of the world, much the same way that eating crabs is a lengthy social occasion in my home state of Maryland. [[Read More](http://www.madrasbala.com/cracking-open-bones/)] ## Multi-function Word Marrow can refer either to a zucchini-like gourd or the semi-solid tissue inside of bone. Further, there are two types of bone marrow – red bone marrow (myeloid tissue) and yellow bone marrow (fatty tissue). [[Read More](https://moffitt.org/treatments/blood-bone-marrow-transplant/what-is-bone-marrow/)] ## Sucking the Marrow Because the insides of marrow bones are uneven, the mouth is the most effective way to get marrow from the bone. Sucking on the bone will loosen the marrow, and the tongue is more responsive than a spoon. The caveat is that marrow bones should be warm enough for the marrow to slide off the bone, but not so hot it will burn the mouth. [[Read More](https://www.marksdailyapple.com/bone-marrow-recipe/)]