Evaluation of Cultivated and Wild Plant Macroremains from a Predynastic Temple in Hierakonpolis - Upper Egypt

Abstract

Hierakonpolis archaeological site was a Predynastic occupation (3800-3500 B.C.) where the early Egyptian civilization originated. The research aims to discover the cultivated crops in this remote time to recognize life activities of early Egyptians, reconstruct weeds assemblage grow within these crops, also wild plants give us a lot of information about climate and environment prevailed in this time. To reach this aim, soil samples were collected from Predynastic temple area. The samples were sieved and examined under the binocular objective using fine brush and needles and the plant remains were analyzed. Wood and charcoal of native trees were predominant. Cereal refuses, rhizomes, culm fragments, leaves, floral heads were mixed with mud to plaster floor and walls of the temple. Wood of native tall trees like Acacia nilotica, Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix nilotica and Balanites aegyptiaca could have been used for building purposes inside the temple. Comparison and integration of our data with previous archaeobotanical informations from Hierakonpolis, Adaima and El Kab increase our knowledge about habitats and past vegetation of Upper Egypt during Predynastic period. Also agriculture practice and food habits of the old Egyptians were recognized. Triticum dicoccum and Hordeum vulgare were the most important crops. Remains of introduced plant species revealed the relations between inhabitants of Hierakonpolis and their neighbors in the east and south.