Ohalo II shows earliest known plant cultivation, 11,000 years before agriculture. 2015 research paper identified 12 known weeds mixed with seeds of wild emmer barley and oats at Ohalo II Provides earliest evidence of a human-disturbed environment, over 11,000 years before the known onset of agriculture Evidence of proto-weeds suggests small-scale attempt to cultivate wild cereals
A 2015 paper identified 12 proto-weeds mixed with wild barley and oats at Ohalo II — over 11,000 years before the accepted onset of agriculture! Barley samples showed 36% domestic-type scars, suggesting "trial cultivation." Sickle blades with use-wear polish confirm harvesting of semi-green cereals. Mind-blowing! 🌱
Key Facts
- 2015 research paper identified 12 known weeds mixed with seeds of wild emmer barley and oats at Ohalo II
- Provides earliest evidence of a human-disturbed environment, over 11,000 years before the known onset of agriculture
- Evidence of proto-weeds suggests small-scale attempt to cultivate wild cereals
- Analysis of plant scars (seed attachment points) showed 36% domestic-type scars on barley samples and 25% on wheat samples
- Experts describe Ohalo II agriculture as "trial cultivation" in an early evolutionary stage
- Sickle blades found with use-wear polish indicating harvesting of near-ripe, semi-green wild cereals before natural dispersal
- Cultivation likely ended due to rising lake levels that eventually submerged the settlement and its farmland
- Site is well-preserved because the burnt hut contents were quickly submerged by rising lake water
Source: 23,000-Year-Old Settlement & Earliest Cultivation: Ohalo II | Ancient Architects by Ancient Architects