Cultivated plants in medieval Kraków (Poland), with special reference to amaranth (Amaranthus lividus L. cf. var lividus) and ruderal communities

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This paper summarises archaeobotanical studies of plant macroremains derived from medieval town deposits of Kraków, focusing on cultivated plants. Correspondence analysis was used in interpreting the botanical data and their archaeological context. Changes in cultivated plant composition were connected mainly with the chartering of the town under Magdeburg law in 1257, and are discussed in terms of their temporal relation to the chartering of Kraków and possible changes in the food preferences and wealth of the residents. Millet and wheat remains are rarer in specimens from after the establishment of the town; this seems connected mainly with the relocation of the mills outside the city walls. The number of cultivated plants generally increased in the late medieval samples, but hop and mallow were more frequent in the tribal period than later. Problems in the definition of cultivated plants are discussed. The probable escape of cultivated amaranth (Amaranthus lividus L. var. lividus) from gardens to ruderal communities is indicated in the samples. A comparison of archaeobotanical data from written sources shows the incompleteness of both types of source, including the clear underrepresentation of some cultivated plants in the archaeological deposits of the town (especially peas, Pisum sativum), a deficiency which should be considered in other archaeobotanical and palaeodietary studies.

An insight into Bronze Age subsistence strategy in forested Carpathian foothills, based on plant macro-remains

“…That fact, as well as the likely local origin of these synanthropic plants and their resistance to decay may explain their large quantities (Mueller-Bieniek and Walanus 2012; Colledge and Conolly 2014). Purposive collection of C. album, P. persicaria, Digitaria sp., E. crus-galli, as well as F. convolvulus as sources of edible seeds/fruits cannot be excluded but determining the exact source of those common weeds and ruderal plants in archeobotanical assemblages is usually not definitive (Kohler-Schneider 2001;Mueller-Bieniek and Walanus 2012;Mueller-Bieniek et al 2015a). G. aparine, represented by a few specimens, is described in the archeobotanical database (ArboDat) as a ruderal plant (e3) but can also grow in other open habitats, including forest mantles and, in this paper, was included in the group e4.…”

“…The single pit cannot give representative data about the paleoeconomy of the whole settlement and especially the whole archaeological culture. Additionally, assemblages of charred remains usually reflect only a small part of the plant remains deposited during the activity of the settlers (van der Veen 2007; Colledge and Conolly 2014;Mueller-Bieniek et al 2015b) and thus reflect only part of the surrounding vegetation, mostly unintentionally or deliberately taken to the settlement. Nevertheless, on the basis of such a rich and well-preserved plant assemblage, we can assume that cultivation of hulled wheat and millet was practiced by the settlers, but that gathering also played a very important role.…”

“…High temperature usually influences seed and fruit morphology, both in shape and surface view. Additionally, taxonomical composition of charred archeobotanical assemblages is strongly influenced by past economic activity of the settlers representing only a small part of plant remains present at any site at the time of its occupation (Jacomet et al 1989;van der Veen 2007;Colledge and Conolly 2014;Mueller-Bieniek et al 2015a). The studied material from a Bronze Age storage pit at Lipnik site 5 was collected during excavation because of the large number of charred acorn remains, well visible during field work (Przybyła and Blajer 2008).…”

Useful plants from the site Lutomiersk–Koziówki near Łódź (central Poland) with special reference to the earliest find of Xanthium strumarium L. seeds in Europe

“…In medieval central Europe, when we are able to compare archaeobotanical data and written sources, peas are extremely underrepresented both in charred and waterlogged samples (e.g. Mueller- Bieniek, 2012;Mueller-Bieniek et al, 2015). …”

“…The appearance of the plant remains in charred assemblages seems to bemore important than their number (Mueller- Bieniek and Walanus, 2012;Mueller-Bieniek et al, 2015). Carbonized (charred) plant remains represent a small part of the plant remains originally present and discarded at any one site (Van der Veen, 2007), their selection is usually strongly influenced by husbandry practices.…”