This paper investigates the early history of opium poppy in Western Europe using radiocarbon dating of small botanical remains from archaeological sites. The study directly dates opium poppy remains from eleven Neolithic sites (5900–3500 cal BCE), revealing its presence in the Mediterranean by the middle of the sixth millennium BCE and its early dispersal westward, reaching beyond the Rhine by 5300–5200 cal BCE and the Western Alps around 5000–4800 cal BCE. The findings indicate varying rates of opium poppy introduction across Western Europe.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Nov 20, 2020
Authors
Aurélie Salavert, Antoine Zazzo, Lucie Martin, Ferran Antolín, Caroline Gauthier, François Thils, Olivier Tombret, Laurent Bouby, Claire Manen, Mario Mineo, Aldona Mueller-Bieniek, Raquel Piqué, Mauro Rottoli, Núria Rovira, Françoise Toulemonde, Ivana Vostrovská
Tags
opium poppy
Neolithic
archaeological sites
radiocarbon dating
Western Europe
Mediterranean
early dispersal
Related Publications
Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.
