Final answer:
Early humans expanded their diet to include a greater variety of foods after technological breakthroughs which allowed them to create tools for better hunting and survival. This, combined with the ability to cook meat, contributed to early human diet expansion and adaptation in various environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expansion of Early Human Diet
Early humans were able to expand their dietary resources to include a greater variety of food sources, such as meat from animal carcasses, primarily after technological breakthroughs. The development of stone tools allowed for more efficient butchering of animals, providing access to new, nutrient-rich food sources like meat. This technological advancement, along with the mastery of fire to cook meat, which made it easier to digest and safer to consume, played a critical role in early human diet expansion.
The cognitive skills to solve problems and create tools allowed humans to enhance their hunting abilities and exploit a wide range of habitats. These advancements in technology, coupled with the ability to think in abstract terms, enabled our ancestors to thrive in a variety of environments, eventually leading to the exploration and settlement of new continents. However, it's also important to note that adaptations such as the development of bipedalism and increased cranial capacity were significant to the survival and success of early humans in the changing prehistoric landscapes.
Over time, humans also began to domesticate plants and animals, transitioned to agricultural societies, and established a permanent base for food production. This shift from hunting and gathering to farming, beginning around 10,000 BCE, marked the start of the Neolithic Age and greatly influenced human evolution and population growth.