Prehistoric and Medieval Plant Remains from Two Sites on the Euphrates, South-eastern Turkey

Authors : Emel Oybak DÖNMEZ

Pages : 11-38

View : 7 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The results of the archaeobotanical examination of 2 sites, namely Mezraa Höyük and Gre Virike, on the Euphrates in the Karkamış insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Carchemish); area, near Birecik insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Şanlıurfa); in south-east Turkey are given. The cultural levels that yielded carbonised plant remains date from the Early Bronze Age insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3000-2000 BC);, Middle Bronze Age insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2000-1500 BC); and Medieval period insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11th - 13th centuries AD);. The plant assortment in the Bronze Age did not differ essentially from that during the Medieval period. The major crop plant of the farmers was Hordeum L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(barley, hulled);. Other cereal crops included Triticum dicoccum Schübl. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(emmer wheat);, T. monococcum L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(einkorn wheat); and T. aestivum L./T. durum Desf. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(bread wheat/macaroni wheat); insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(naked wheat);. The latest became important and replaced the hulled wheats in Medieval times. Hulled barley was also favoured by the visitors to Gre Virike, which was used as a common sanctuary of the Karkamış area in the Early Bronze Age, in ritual ceremonies and probably in food preparation. Domesticated legumes recorded in the study area are Lens culinaris Medik. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(lentil);, Lathyrus sativus L./L. cicera L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(grass pea); and Pisum sativum L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(garden pea);, Vicia ervilia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(L.); Willd. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(bitter vetch); and Cicer arietinum L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(chickpea);. The legumes played a minor part in plant husbandry. Vitis vinifera L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(grape); would have been grown, but Olea europaea L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(olive); was probably imported. A single fruit remain of Coriandrum sativum L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(coriander); found at Medieval Mezraa Höyük is recorded as a condiment. The plants of grazing lands, including Trifolium L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(clover);, are associated with animal husbandry. Weed seeds, such as Aegilops L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(goat grass);, Galium L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(bedstraw); and Lolium L. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(rye grass);, provided information on crop field weeds of both Bronze Age and Medieval times.
Keywords : Prehistoric, Medieval, plant remains, the Euphrates, Turkey