Introduction, spread and selective breeding of crops: new archaeobotanical data from southern Italy in the early Middle Ages

• DOI: 10.1007/s00334-024-00989-7
• Publication Date: 2024-03-08T17:02:05Z
• Authors: Girolamo Fiorentino; Anna Maria Grasso; Milena Primavera
• Keywords: Linum; Cash crop

Abstract This paper presents a summary of the record cultivated plant macroremains from southern Italy during early Middle Ages, with focus on recent discoveries crop remains in Sicily. These have shed light introduction new plants central Mediterranean region at ca. 500–1100 ce . Specifically, we are dealing first evidence adoption two varieties crops, one flax ( Linum usitatissimum cf. conv. mediterraneum ) and other broad (or faba) bean Vicia faba var. equina 8th century, period Byzantine domination, also exotic such as Solanum melongena (aubergine) Gossypium herbaceum/arboreum (cotton) following Islamic conquest. In some cases these developments were to long term impacts, for example Sicily regard cotton, which became an important cash there 13th throughout variety major ), was grown Puglia late Ages onwards.