Geometric morphometric analysis of Neolithic wheat grains: insights into the early development of free-threshing forms

Abstract Current knowledge of the origins and routes introduction both tetraploid hexaploid free-threshing wheats (FTWs) from western Asia into Europe remains imprecise. Archaeobotanical distinction ploidy level is often dependent on sparsely recovered rachis segments, while more specific identification cultivars within groups using morphological characteristics either grain or chaff generally considered unreliable. This study offers a complementary approach by geometric morphometric (GMM) analysis shape to assess taxonomic variety distinctions in archaeobotanical FTW remains. Two substantial well-preserved assemblages Neolithic grains 7th millennium bce Çatalhöyük (central Anatolia, Turkey) 6th Kouphovouno (Peloponnese, Greece) were analysed with aim shedding light naked cultivated these early agricultural communities. While indicate crop, no such diagnostic Kouphovouno. GMM has corroborated cultivation wheat at Çatalhöyük, whilst revealing that wheat, most closely resembling ‘unimproved’ durum was likely grown The findings are contextualised existing theories Mediterranean route for FTWs south-western Europe. At sites, an assessment role over time suggests changes cultural value attributed crops and/or sustainability regimes they associated with.