. Researchers from the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham discovered that ancient Britain wasn’t isolated from Europe 8 years before. Ancient Britons were likely to have eaten wheat 2 ,000 decades before the island’s first farming began. Their findings show that wheat was used to make flour in Britain around 6000 BC. Researchers found evidence that several types of wheat were present at an archaeological site under the sea off England. This was two thousand years ago, before the British islands had begun farming. The ancient Britons of 8 ,000 were more than just hunters and gatherers. They were likely traders who interacted with the mainland Europe. Many anthropologists consider farming a crucial moment in the history of nearly all human societies. They believe that it led to the creation of the society that is the foundation for the modern world. The latest research, published in Science (citation below), suggests that evidence that wheat reached the site may indicate that Mesolithic Britons had social and trading networks that spread across Europe. There is also the possibility that land bridges could have connected Britain’s south-east coast with Europe, facilitating trade between southern European farmers and British hunters. Bouldnor Cliff is an ancient settlement that was submerged in the Solent. The site dates back to the Mesolithic period and it is located in approximately 11 metres yards of water, just off the Isle of Wight village of Bouldnor. Researchers discovered Einkorn, which is a variety of wheat found in Southern Europe, at the site. It was made from sediment on the ground that was previously there, but was submerged when glaciers melt. According to the researchers, wheat came from south Europe by neolithic traders. The island was located much closer to mainland at the time. Image source: University of Warwick. The study was led by Dr. Robin Allaby, University of York’s lead researcher. He also collaborated with Professor Mark Pallen of Warwick Medical School as well as Professor Vincent Gaffney of University of Bradford. Researchers from St. Andrews and Birmingham were also part of the research. After the Einkorn discovery, Dr. Allaby believes that Mesolithic Britain may have been less isolated than originally thought. Dr. Allaby believes that the ancient Britons were interfacing with Neolithic south Europeans at the time. Dr. Allaby stated that einkorn was not discovered in Britain for at least 2 ,000years after samples were taken at Bouldnor Cliff. The einkorn must have crossed Europe via contact. “The land bridges are a possible way to facilitate this. Mesolithic Britain wasn’t isolated. It was connected culturally, and even physically to Europe. These simple British hunting societies are at the forefront of agriculture and the economic changes that led to modern times. Prof. Gaffney hopes this discovery will open a new chapter of British and European history. Genetic analyses allow scientists and archaeologists to find evidence deep in the sediments of prehistoric sites and make new discoveries. Dr. Allaby says it is clear now that the ancient Britons of 8 years ago weren’t completely separated from the mainland. Dr. Allaby says that it is now clear that ancient Britons 8000 years ago were not isolated from the mainland. We then narrowed down the organisms that were of most interest when analysing DNA sequences. Citation: “SedimentaryDNA from a submerged location reveals wheat in British Isles years ago,” Oliver Smith and Garry Momber. Richard Bates, Paul Garwood. Simon Fitch. Mark Pallen. Robin G. Allaby. Science. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.1261278. Warwick University Video – Britain & Europe 8000 years Ago
Britain and Europe trade 8000 years ago. This is much more than was previously believed
