Abstract
This article collects and organizes data on common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) finds from archaeological sites in modern Ukraine. The first find comes from charred macro-residues discovered in the middle of the 20th century in the hillfort of Bilsk. Two more finds are represented by imprints on clay products. They were discovered as a result of a purposeful inspection of ceramics; these finds come from Scythian sites. The last find comes from an Ancient Rus site: a significant amount of charred material was found there. The territory of modern Ukraine is situated at the crossroads of Eurasian land routes and waterways. The findings presented are important for restoring the history of the appearance of the cocklebur in Europe.
Highlights
The territory of modern Ukraine is situated at the crossroads of many land routes and waterways connecting Europe and Asia
According to the available materials from Ukraine, the first finds of common cocklebur came from Scythian sites
There has been no discussion on the migration waves of the early nomads that was occurring throughout the whole Early Iron Age (e.g. Alekseev, 2003; Bruiako, 2005; historiography of the issue – id)
Summary
Scientists who study the distribution of plants in time and space usually encounter difficulties related to the insufficient content of existing information databases on this subject. Such an invasive plant as the common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) is no exception. It is an annual late weed growing in fields, pastures, gardens, ravines and near dwellings, mainly on sandy soils. Back in the 1980s, V.V. Protopopova only indicated that the routes of its spreading to Europe were apparently related to nomadic tribes, such as the Goths, Huns, Pechenegs, Polovtsians (Cumans), Tatars, etc. Given the lack of evidence, this assumption, likely, is less important than determining the route of its entry: namely, following the ways of the nomads from Central Asia
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