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How do archaeologists determine whether ancient plants were wild or domesticated?
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Origins of agriculture
Harvesting wheat on a farm in the grain belt near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A potash mine appears in the distant background.
Archaeologists determine whether ancient plants were wild or domesticated by examining morphological, genetic, and structural changes that occur when plants are adapted to human care and selective breeding.12
Key methods and indicators include:
- Morphological and Structural Analysis: Researchers compare the structure and general appearance of archaeological plant remains to their wild ancestors. Domestication often leads to profound changes in a plant's physical form to meet human requirements.12
- Microscopic Remains: Archaeologists analyze phytoliths—microscopic silica bodies that retain the specific shape of the plant cells in which they formed—and starch grains. These can be recovered from artifacts like stone tools or pottery to identify specific plant types.3
- Palynology: The study of pollen found in archaeological sediments helps identify the types of plants growing near ancient sites.3
- Genetic and Cytogenetical Examination: Scientists use cytogenetical methods, such as comparing chromosomes and chromosome sets, to understand the origins of domesticated varieties and their relationship to wild progenitors.2
- Direct Dating: Modern radiocarbon dating allows for the direct analysis of small quantities of plant material, such as individual seeds, providing a precise chronometric framework for when these changes occurred.3