The Ethnobotanical Evolution of the Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Abstract The Mediterranean cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens ) is an evergreen conifer that belongs to the Cupressaceae, which first plant family whose detailed evolutionary history traces break-up of supercontinent Pangaea roughly 150 million years ago. broad and deep economic socio-cultural significance species began in at least third millennium BCE. This interdisciplinary review highlights tree’s exemplary uses meanings, starting ancient Elam, Sumer, Egypt, Persia, continuing Graeco-Roman world, Islamic Empires, Western Europe. has been used as timber for buildings, coffins, furniture, statuary; religious spiritual symbolism; ornamentals gardens cemeteries; aromatic anointments medicine; literary metaphors; motifs decorative fine art. Many artifacts, artworks, literature known be influenced by are iconic: Gudea cylinders, outer coffin Pharaoh Tutankhamun, poetry Virgil Ferdowsi, Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, Shakespeare’s plays, paintings Vélasquez Van Gogh. Knowledge gaps scholarly on identified, require additional research a variety fields. For example, number varieties within remains inconclusive. Identifying precise timing geographic location influence human civilization hampered methodological challenges. Studies other might benefit from holistic approach taken this review.