Local domestication or diffusion? Insights into viticulture in Greece from Neolithic to Archaic times, using geometric morphometric analyses of archaeological grape seeds

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the emblematic crops Greece. Despite evidence early wine making in Aegean since Late Neolithic (ca 4500–4000 BC), hypothesis a local domestication grapevine this area hasn't be thoroughly investigated. In order to date first appearance domesticated and explore past cultivated diversity Aegean, morphometric analyses were performed on large data set 2223 archaeological grape pips from 11 sites located various areas Greece dated Neolithic, Bronze Age Archaic period (6th millennium BC - 7th century BC). All are morphologically wild. The shift wild shape occurred during Middle (1900–1700 From (1500–1100 BC) onwards, types dominate almost all assemblages. Possible indication process provided by Early Age. Also still range modern specimens, their an intermediate between those later periods. A high morphological characterizes These mostly allocated varieties Balkans, Caucasus South-West Asia. geographical origin identified may reflect introduction cultivars eastern Mediterranean, but also testify stage diversification.