Evidence for rare crop weeds of the Caucalidion group in Southwestern Germany since the Bronze Age: palaeoecological implications
Manfred Rösch
The crop weed communities of dry calcareous soils are today very rare and endangered. In the first half 20th century this group was already in an advanced stage disappearance, caused by intensification agriculture since 19th century. Therefore, botanists only found these plants a few regions with soils, obviously reflecting geological conditions. But many archaeobotanical finds places where species never observed as living plant edaphic conditions seem to exclude it. western Lake Constance region floristic observations lacking. Of Orlaya grandiflora, there is now proof from several pollen diagrams that did occur regularly high frequency Late Bronze Age ad. Several other Caucalidion also reflected record, but less frequent, ecological triggered agriculture; due soil erosion, topsoils were thin, especially on slopes, low water capacity, yields. weeds spiny fruits distributed over long distances migrating domestic animals. Pollen grains high-resolution profiles northern Black Forest Allgau, not be expected observed, indicate ubiquitous distribution between early Modern Ages Central Europe adjacent regions, tenuous situation long-term extensive ard hilly landscapes. More better macrofossil studies would bring evidence.
Vegetation History and Archaeobotany