The resilience of pioneer crops in the highlands of Central Asia: Archaeobotanical investigation at the Chap II site in Kyrgyzstan

This paper presents archaeobotanical research results from an occupation horizon of the Chap II site left by earliest known farming community in Central Tien Shan mountains current territory Kyrgyzstan. The samples were recovered well-defined contexts domestic waste pits, house floors, fireplaces, and oven, all which date to a narrow period between 2474 2162 cal BCE (based on n-14 AMS dates). assemblage is dominated SW package crops bread wheat naked barley. Those are only species have progressed further east across mountain ranges Asia during wave crop dispersal. However, other small quantities also identified at site, such as T. durum/turgidum carthlicum , possibly glume wheats hulled Here, we argue that dominant compact morphotypes seen barley caryopses hint toward selection for specific adaptive traits cultigens enabled successful agriculture high-altitude ecogeographies. Large variations cereal size indicate endured stress (e.g., insufficient nutrients, water, or other) plant development. More needed better understanding developmental plasticity different formation unique landraces diverse environmental niches past.