New discovery of the history of agriculture in Eurasia

According to a new survey of radioisotope data from the Eurasian continent, agriculture here was born earlier than scientists thought.

To determine the characteristics of changes in the ancient diet of Asian-European nomads, the researchers used quantitative analysis to study radioisotope data from the bones of the cave. Ancient objects and people.

This analysis - published in Scientific Reports this week - has helped researchers indicate when to accept new agricultural products during the Iron Age early. By erecting the geographical and temporal characteristics of dietary changes, researchers can also determine the expansion of early political social networks.

Asia-Europe agriculture was born earlier than scientists thought.

Alicia Ventresca Miller, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human History in Germany, said: 'Our understanding of the spread of crops throughout the Eurasian prairie has been extremely vague. partly due to the focus on excavating cemeteries, not settlements where people throw away food. '

Miller conducted research while working at Kiel University.

Miller said: 'Although excavation of settlements, the preservation of the burnt remains of coal is often very weak. This is what makes the stable relational isotope analyzes of people from this region so honest - it brings direct knowledge of the diet motivation of the ancient shepherds living in lots of diverse environments ".

Researchers have identified the development of larger, more complex political and social structures across the Eurasian continent during the Iron Age, about 1,000 years BC, coinciding with an increase in the amount of pepper. taking millet seeds, the first grain cultivated in China from 3,000 years BC.

But millet nuts are not common in Eurasia. Researchers have identified groups in the Trans-Urals that focus on wheat farming and vascularity , while people in southwestern Siberia feed mainly on pasture products , as well as species. Local wild plants available and fish. Groups in Mongolia did not start eating millet until late Iron Age, at the same time, the Xiongu nomadic empire rose to power and reign.

Miller said: ' This is particularly interesting because it shows that communities in Mongolia and Siberia have chosen to move to millet agriculture , while continuing to join neighboring communities.'