The earliest evidence of domesticated wheat in the Crimea at Chalcolithic Ardych-Burun. (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Motuzaite-Matuzeviciute, Giedre; Telizhenko, Sergey; Jones, Martin K
• Is Part Of: Journal of field archaeology. Volume 38:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: Hulled wheat -- Triticum sp. -- Crimea -- early agriculture -- shell midden -- Chalcolithic period; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 930.105
• DOI: 10.1179/0093469013Z.00000000042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-4690

Abstract

Abstract : This paper reports the discovery of the earliest evidence of domesticated wheat in the Crimean peninsula from the Ardych-Burun shell midden site, Ukraine. The Ardych-Burun site dates to middle of the 4th millenniumcal b.c. For the first time, the chronology of a Ukrainian Chalcolithic period site has been established through direct radiocarbon dating of cereal grains retrieved from it. This discovery allows for a wider discussion of the chronology and geographical origins of domesticated plant species in Ukraine and the role the Caucasian corridor may have played in the spread of agriculture into eastern Europe. The presence of cereal crops in the southern Crimea enriches our understanding of the subsistence strategies of the coastal population, which was previously linked only with pastoralism, hunting, and the exploitation of marine resources.