Archaeobotanical investigations in the Aisne valley, northern France, from the Neolithic up to the early Middle Ages

Carbonized fruits and seeds retrieved during rescue excavations in the Aisne valley, France, and near surroundings are discussed. The time span covered is Neolithic through to the 6th century A.D. The sequence starts with the crop plants grown by Bandkeramik farmers. A later innovation was the introduction of naked wheat by the Neolithic Cerny culture. The early Iron Age brought major innovations such as a diversification in crops and the appearance of pastures.