Some Reflections on Prehistoric Field Weeds

In addition to cultivated plants, various wild plant species, among which field weeds, are represented in the archaeobotanical record. For the Near East the recognition of field weeds in archaeological sites poses some extra problems. Various possible field weeds could equally well have formed part of the natural steppe vegetation. Particularly informative on ancient field weeds are the charred remains of crop-plant supplies. Weed seeds in these supplies are very likely from weeds which grew in the fields concerned and which were harvested together with the crop. Most of the field weeds of Neolithic Europe were not introduced from the Near East but must have been of more local origin.