Understanding the prehistoric uses of plants

Archaeobotanist Tjaša Tolar notes that archaeobotanical esearch on the remains of wild plants, which are often overlooked today, can make a significant contribution to our understanding of prehistoric practices. The central case study concerns large quantities of crushed red dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) fruit stones from an approximately 6,000-year-old pile-dwelling settlement in the Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia, suggesting that in the Late Neolithic these fruits were probably used to obtain oil or a macerate for greasing or cleaning pottery, clothing and others.

At this year’s EAA annual meeting, taking place in Athens from August 26 to 29, her presentation raises the question of how much useful knowledge about wild plants has been lost over time and highlights the value of linking archaeobotany with the protection of natural and cultural heritage. One of its main aims is also to identify comparable case studies elsewhere in Europe and to seek partners for a broader European project on the use of wild plants in prehistory, connected with sustainable practices and the priorities of the Horizon Europe programme.