A brief history of plants in north-eastern France: 6,000 years of crop introduction in the Plain of Troyes, Champagne

Abstract

The amount and strength of archaeobotanical and archaeological data available for the territory of the Plain of Troyes, in Champagne (north-eastern France), make it possible to write a local history of domestic plants. The story begins with the arrival of the early Neolithic farmers (5200 bc), introducing agriculture with the first staple crops, the hulled wheats emmer and einkorn, pea, lentil, and possibly opium poppy. Their descendants left few traces, but from the very beginning of the Late Bronze Age (14th century bc), human expansion quickly resumed, supported by a completely remodelled farming system. Many new plants (spelt, millets, pulses…), introduced from far-off countries were cultivated, securing production, and decreasing gathering. This apparently successful agriculture lasted for one millennium till the middle of the Late Iron Age (2nd century bc). Technical innovations in agricultural tools then triggered new changes in production systems, evidenced by a sharp decline in millets and a more modest rise in naked wheats. This trend continued during the Roman era, a time where many agricultural innovations took place, especially concerning fruticulture and possibly viticulture. The true development of the latter occurred during Early Middle Ages. At that time hulled six-row barley and naked wheats were well established as the main crops, while two more species, cultivated oat and rye, were added to the already large panel of cereals. Our investigations do not go further than the 10th century ad, but despite the large gap till today, some legacies of the past are still perceptible in the contemporary agricultural heritage.