Archaeobotanical analysis of food and fuel procurement from Fulayj fort (Oman, 5th-8th c. CE) including the earliest secure evidence for sorghum in Eastern Arabia

The recent study of botanical macro-remains from the Late Sasanian and Early Islamic (5th to 8th century) fort Fulayj (Batinah, Sultanate Oman) provides a unique opportunity discuss food fuel acquisition strategies in an arid environment document periods that are little known archaeobotanical perspective Eastern Arabia. Seed assemblages include first well-identified directly radiocarbon dated evidence sorghum (Sorghum bicolor ssp. (L.) Moench.) Arabia, which raises question whether grain was imported distant sources (for example Yemen, East Africa or India) locally cultivated. In addition sorghum, plant assemblage includes hulled barley (Hordeum vulgare), date (Phoenix dactylifera) jujube (Ziziphus cf. spina-christi). Date palm gardens may have existed near site as they do today products been brought on Batinah coast where conditions for agricultural production particularly favourable. Charcoal analysis reveals main taxa used (acacia, prosopis, tree, tamarisk) were collected local communities, occasionally supplemented with firewood gathered foothills mountainous areas.