On the verge of domestication: Early use of C4plants in the Horn of Africa

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300166120
• Publication Date: 2023-06-26T19:09:49Z
• Authors: Abel Ruiz-Giralt; Laurie Nixon-Darcus; A. Catherine D’An...; Yemane Meresa; Stefano Biagetti; Carla Lancelotti
• Keywords: Consumption; Archaic period

The earliest evidence of agriculture in the Horn Africa dates to Pre-Aksumite period (ca. 1600 BCE). Domesticated C3 cereals are considered have been introduced from Near East, whereas origin (local or not) and time domestication various African C4 species such as sorghum, finger millet, t'ef remain unknown. In this paper, we present results analysis microbotanical residues (starch phytoliths) grinding stones recovered two archaeological sites northeastern Tigrai (Ethiopia), namely Mezber Ona Adi. Together, both cover a that encompasses region BCE) fall Kingdom Aksum 700 CE). Our data indicate these communities featured complex mixed economies which included consumption domestic wild plant products since Initial Phase 900 BCE), including crops legumes, but also geophytes. These new expand record use over 1,000 y. It represents first for starchy region. parallels wider where food systems documented. Altogether, our represent significant challenge current knowledge Aksumite economies, forcing us rethink way define cultural horizons.