History of barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Central Europe according to archaeobotanical findings.

Abstract

This paper describes distribution and use of barley in prehistory and the Early Middle Ages in the context of the development of agriculture and landscape. Study focused on Central Europe, but also other European areas. Based on the analysis of archaeobotanic findings of barley, an interesting history of this key crop can be traced - from the introduction of barley into the package of grown plants in the Neolithic period to the commencement of the top medieval economy. In the period of the oldest farming, barley was only a marginal cereal in Central Europe, however, its frequency and importance gradually rose.This paper describes distribution and use of barley in prehistory and the Early Middle Ages in the context of the development of agriculture and landscape. Study focused on Central Europe, but also other European areas. Based on the analysis of archaeobotanic findings of barley, an interesting history of this key crop can be traced - from the introduction of barley into the package of grown plants in the Neolithic period to the commencement of the top medieval economy. In the period of the oldest farming, barley was only a marginal cereal in Central Europe, however, its frequency and importance gradually rose.

Keywords

• barley
• archaeobotany
• prehistory
• the Early Middle Ages
• agriculture