On Thu, 30 May 2002 17:14:55 -0400, Todd Moody <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>> http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/28/science/social/28COOK.html
>
>I'd be interested in learning more about this claim: "Surveying
>the literature, Dr. Wrangham and his colleagues determined that
>of the 48 types of roots, tubers and other potatolike plant foods
>eaten by humanity's foraging African forebears, 21 require
>cooking to be comestible."

I don't know what the list of wild roots would be, but

   http://www.fao.org/inpho/vlibrary/t0207e/T0207E08.htm

notes many wild roots that are toxic, and must have been cooked to
be eaten successfully (assuming there were any roots like these
eaten by paleohumans, who did no cultivation).

Philip Thrift
http://www.geocities.com/paleofitness