Agropastoralism and Crops Dispersion: a Brief Discussion on Archaeological Sites and Main Discoveries in Archaeobotany in Central Asia

Abstract

The sub-branch of archaeology, called archaeobotany connects present-day man with ancient plants. The ancient plant remains to give a picture of agro-pastoralists activities in Central Asia. Through the plant remains, the way of living, food habits, vegetation, economy and agricultural developments of Central Asia have been traced out. Archaeological sites give new insights into the agricultural denomination in the region, which revealed marked differences. Through archaeobotanical investigation of the plant remains like bread wheat(Triticum aestivum), rice( Oryza sativa), foxtail millet( Setaria italica), broomcorn millet( Panicum miliaceum), six-row barley( Hordeum vulgare ), and other plant fossils provide new prospects about ancient food production in the expanse of Central Asia. A brief discussion on Central Asian archaeological sites and recovered plant remains as well as the agricultural exchange of Central Asia with the neighboring regions are the worthy discussion and essence of this paper.