Jurassic Pork: What Could a Jewish Time Traveler Eat?

Jessica M Theodor,Thomas R Holtz,Roy E Plotnick

doi:10.1186/s12052-015-0047-2

Abstract

Paleontologists use multiple methods to reconstruct the anatomy and behavior of extinct animals, including direct observations from well-preserved fossils and inferences from the phylogeny of modern and extinct relatives. We illustrate these techniques by reference to the biblical definitions of kosher and non-kosher animals; that is, how can we apply these approaches to the hypothetical question of whether an extinct form would have been kosher. The biblical categories do not readily map to modern understandings of systematics, but are heavily based on life mode. When given, distinguishing characteristics, such as the presence of fins and scales in aquatic animals, can be readily seen directly in fossils. In other cases, such as cud chewing, they need to be inferred from the phylogenetic relationships of the fossil forms. Dinosaurs (other than birds), unfortunately, are not kosher. A kosher “paleo diet” would be increasingly difficult further in the past. The use of biblical content as a way of introducing concepts from paleontology and evolutionary biology, such as crown groups and stem groups, should be of broad interest.

Highlights

A paleontologist colleague of ours was recently asked by a student whether brachiopods, an invertebrate group commonly preserved as fossils, were kosher
He posted the question on Facebook and the immediate response was “certainly not, brachiopods are shellfish!” This reminded one of us (JMT), a specialist on fossil hoofed mammals, of questions she has received on whether a particular ancient animal would have been kosher
Discussing how paleontologists would address such a query illustrates how they think about the morphology, ecology, and relationships of extinct animals and gives an opportunity to introduce broader concepts from paleontology and evolutionary biology to a more general audience

Summary

Introduction

A paleontologist colleague of ours was recently asked by a student whether brachiopods, an invertebrate group commonly preserved as fossils, were kosher. We will discuss how these characteristics can be recognized or inferred in ancient fish, mammals, birds (and other dinosaurs), and insects.

Results

Conclusion