The distribution, natural habitats and availability of wild cereals in relation to their domestication in the Near East: multiple events, multiple centres

摘要: In this article we examine the natural habitats and distribution of six wild cereals: Triticum urartu (wild wheat), T. boeoticum aegilopoides (single-grained einkorn), thaoudar (two-grained dicoccoides emmer Secale spp. ryes) Hordeum spontaneum barley). A comparison late Pleistocene/early Holocene archaeobotanical assemblages in Near East with present-day distributions cereals shows a good correlation. The regional variation cereal ensuing domestication provide evidence that different species were domesticated independently areas. Some sites not situated near few located outside limits distribution, even accounting for moister climatic conditions. I argue here current models which try to explain shift farming have tended over-emphasize effect Younger Dryas change. First, it would had only minor on availability. Secondly, agriculture appears been established after Dryas. Thirdly, there is no single centre origin; arose widely separated geographic regions. And fourthly, depends stable conditions until