AGRICULTURE IN MEDIEVAL GASSELTE
Willem van Zeist and Rita M. Palfenier-Vegter
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. The sire 1.Z. The geographical situation z. THE SAMPLES z. I. Field and laboratory procedures z.z. The origin of the samples z. 3. Floated and dry-sieved samples
3. CULTIVATED PLANTS 3. 1. The plant cultivation 3 .z. Avena 3-3- Hordeum 3-4· Secale 3. 5. Other food plants 3.6. Spices or medicinal plants
+ \X/ILD PLANTS 4. 1. Same rernarks on seeds and fruits of wild plants 4.z. The ecological significance of wild plants 4-3- Wild fruirs
5. COJ'vlPARISON \'\IITH OTHER SITES 5. 1. The crop plant assortment in medieval times 5.z. Comparison of grain sizes
6. REFERENCES i \Y/.VJ\N ZE ST & R. �I. PJ\LFENlER-VEGTER
1. INTRODUCTION ginal valley. The settlement was founded at the head of a small transverse valley (fig. ). On the 1.1. The site l ordnance survey map of c. 185o the rivulet is still shown. According to the soil map (Bodemkaart In this paper the results will be discussed of the van Nederland, 977) fine loamy sands to fi ne examination of charred seeds and fruits from a l sands poor in loam prevail in the vicinity of the medieval settlement near Gasselte, province of settlement. J. \Xlieringa (Nedersachsisch ln Drenthe, in the north of the Netherlands (fig. 1). l\fr. stituut, Groningen) informed us that at the locality About 5 oo m to the west of the village of Gasselte of the site the soil is poor. traces of ten farmsteads came to light during From the above it appears that three main top excavations carried out by the Biologisch ographic features can be distinguished in the Gas Archaeologisch Instituut in 1975-1977. An excav selte area: the higher sandy soils with the ara ble ation report of this settlement site was published by land, forest and perhaps heather fielcls ; a west-east \Xlaterbolk and Harsema (1979) from which the fol oriented valley with a smal! stream; and the Hunze iowing has been derived. depression with marshes and peat-bogs. The farmsteads were situated in a north-south oriented row, apparently along a former road. The Dr. K.-H. Kni:irzer(Neuss, \'\festGermany) kindly farmyarcls were bordereel by shallow ditches, pa checked (and corrected the identification of same lisade trenches and rows of posts. \Xlithin each yard !) seed types. Ingelise M. Stuyts identified the heather remains of houses, barns, sheds, sunken huts, stems. The drawings of the seeds and fruits were granaries, corn- or ha y-stacks and wells were made by Mr. H. R. Roelink, while Mr. ]. found. The builclings had been repaired and re \XI. Dijkema prepared the other illustrations. Professor newecl several times. The anal ysis of the settlement H. T. \Xlaterbolk and l\if r. H. Praamstra provided traces revealeclthat each farrnsteacl had consistecl of info rmation on the origin of the samples. Mrs. G. a principal builcling, combining the actual house Entjes-Nieborg assisted in the preparation of the with the byre, and a varying number of outhouses. manuscript. The English text was improved by Three types of farrnhouses which succeeclecl each Mrs. S. M. van Gelder-Ottway. other in time could be establishecl. On the basis of The analysis of the samples was carriecl out by the clevelopment of the grouncl-plan of the prin RMP-V. Both authors are responsible for the seed cipal builcling and of a shift of the latter within the identifications. \XlvZ prepared the text. farmyard four babitation phases have been clistin guishecl by \Xlaterbolk and Harsema (1979). The
fi elds must have been laid out to the west of the z. T HE SAMPLES settlement. The pottery indicates that the habitation must 2. 1. Field and laboratory procedures have lasted from the rniddle of the 9th to the miclclle of the 12th century A.D. Two radiocarbon During the excavations fa irly large soil samples measurements which have so far been carried out (5 ,000-20,000 cc) were taken for botanical exami for samples from Gasselte suggest a somewhat ear nation. In a few cases charred grains were observecl lier dating. in the fielcl, but most soil samples originate from features without traces of carbonized seeds and 1.2. The geographical situation fru its. Charred plant remains were retrieved in the laboratory by means of manual water flotation. The The site was located on the eastern flank of the vegetable remains were recovered on a sieve with "Drents plateau'', the central plateau of Drenthe rneshes of o. 5 mm. The majority of the recovered consisting of higher sandy soils aften underlain by material consisted of charcoal among which smaller boulder clay or a boulclerclay residue (stone layer). or larger numbers of carbonized seeds and fruits About 3 km to the east of the si te, the hi.ighersoils were present. Various samples did not yield any 268 pass into the Hunze depression, a broad ice-mar- seeds. Only in sample 454 are charred grains pre- Agricult11re in 111edieval Gasse/te
· ·'"- -·�
Fig. J\Iap of the Gasselte area. Contour lines are given for domin. ant (c. 60% by weight). Of this large chatre,d 1. grain sample 1/15 part was examined. The other every metre. The excavated area is indicated in black. The si te is located at the head of a srnall valley. The streamlet in this samples were analysed in their entirety. side val ley no longer exists. i'vioreover, from the fi ll of post-holes and pits samples were taken with the primary purpose of obtaining charcoal for radiocarbon dating and 3. The examination of the charcoal will not be dis wood identification. After having been dried these cussed in this paper. samples were sieved through screens with meshes Fairly large numbers of cereal grains have been of 1.5 mm and more. A cursory inspection of these measured. In those cases where the embryo had charcoal samples showed that some of them con been preserved the radicle pojnt has not been in tained cereal grains. For that reason also the dry cluded in the measurement. sieved samples have been examined for seeds and fruits. 2.2. The origin of the samples Only charred plant remains were recovered from Gasselte. The local conditions (well-aerated, sandy :M ost of the charred seed samples are from the fill soil, above the ground-water level) do not allow of pits, ditches and post-holes. With pits one could the preservation of non-carbonized plant remains. possibly think of storage pits the contents of which The fil! at the bottom of the wells may have con were burnt, resulting in the carbonization of a tained water-logged vegetable material, but no smaller or larger number of grains. In this case the samples could be obtained from this type of soil. charred grains would be in a primary position, i.e. Some particulars of the samples which yielded more or Jess at the spot where they had become seeds and fruits are presented in table r. Fairly carbonized. It is difficult to imagine how grains often two or more samples are from one building ; could have become carbonized in the sandy fill of in such cases the samples are mainly from post post-holes. The grains must have been deposited holes which form part of the same ground-plan. In there in a charred condition. This implies that they table 2 it has been indicated which groups of sam had been moved over some distance and that they ples belong to the same building. The results of the were lying in a secondary position. The charred analyses are presented in table 3. The sclerotia of grains could have arrived in the post-hole after the Ce11orom1111 geophi/11111 , fairly large numbers of which post had been set up when the rest of the hole was were found in some samples, are not shown in table fi lled up with soil. In this case the charred seeds M. W. VAN ZEIST & R. PJ\LFENIER-VEGTER
TABLE 1
Short description of samples which yielded charred seeds and fruits. The numbers of the buildings refer to Waterbolk & Harsema (1979, fig. 6).
Number Phase Origin of sample Treatment
3 4 post, barn 65 dry-sieved 10 3 post, house 67 flotation 12 3 post, house 67 flotation 31 4 post, granary 33 dry-sieved 43 pit inside house 77 flotation 44 small post-hole at inner side wall house 77 dry-sieved 46 1 wall post, house 77 flotation 49 2 well I dry-sieved 63 central post, barn 68 flotation 64 wall post, barn 68 flotation 71 4 corner post, house 70 flotation 72 4 wall post, hous 70, 1 4C: A.D. 1020±60 flotation e 73 4 wall post, house 70 flotation 74 4 wall post, house 70 flotation 89 4 corner post, house 70 flotation 91 4 outer post, house 70 dry-sieved 92 4 wall post, house 71 flotation 104 4 wall post, house 71 flotation 123 sunken hut 30 dry-sieved 186 pit beside outhouse 96 dry-sieved 266 2 p,lt beside barn 50 dry-sieved 295 2 or 3 pit beside houses 53 and 54 dry-sieved 296 2 foundation trench, house 53 flotation 304 2 pit inside house 53 dry-sieved 305 2 pit inside house 53 dry-sieved 31 1 2 foundation trench, house 53 dry-sieved 328 central post, barn 51 dry-sieved 329 1 central post, barn 51 dry-sieved 337 3 wall post, house 25 dry-sieved 376 2 central post, barn 34 dry-sieved 377 2 wall post, barn 34 dry-sieved 381 2 central post, barn 33 dry-sieved 396 3 wall post, barn 19 dry-sieved 397 4 pit inside barn 18 dry-sieved 403 2 byre ditc h, house 24 dry-sieved 41 1 2 wall post, barn 28 dry-sieved 417 3 corner post, house 25 flotation 418 1 post, barn 27 flotation 428 2 byre ditch?, house 24 flotation 434 3 wall post, barn 19 dry-sieved 454 1 sunken hul 8 flotation 456 1 pit inside barn 22 dry-sieved 474 4 pit inside corn-stack 16 dry-sieved 533 ? pil in yard VII dry-sieved 534 ? pit in yard VII dry-sieved 537 3 corner post, house 102 dry-sieved 539 2 wall post, barn 101 flotation 540 2 wall post, barn 101 flotation 543 2 wall post, barn 101 flotation 544 3 post, house 102 flotation 545 3 post, house 102 flotation and dry-sieved 573 ? pit near granary 56 dry-sieved 574 3 wall post, house 109 dry-sieved 270 Agrim/(11re in 111edieva/ Gasse/te
would date from (shortly) befare the construction was dry-sieved. As is shown in table 4, there are no of the building concerned. It is also possible tliat marked differences in the cereal grain percentages. the charred grains had been shovelled into the hole after the post had been pulled out, e.g. in repairing or demolishing the building. It is likely that the 3. CULTIV A TED PLANTS charred grains in virtually all samples, including
those from pits, have been redeposited. Only 3. I. The plant cultivation sample 454, from a sunken but, seems to constitute the remains of a grain supply which had been The palaeobotanical evidence suggests that oats, stored there. rye and barley were the main crop plants of the Above it has been suggested that charred grains inhabitants of the medieval settlement near Gas may predate the house to which the sample con selte. From various samples considerable numbers cerned is attributed. It is possible that the grains of grains of one or more of these cereal species became carbonized during the burning down of the were recovered. house or barn from the preceding building phase. ·Most of the samples which yielded larger num The periodization of the settlement is largely based bers of cereal grains are from the fill of post-holes. upon the succession of the farmhouseground-plans As has been discussed above, the carbonized grains (see r.r.; \X faterbolk and Harsema, I 979). This in this fill were lying in a secondary position. After would imply that the sample should be attributed the kernels had become carbonized they were shov to the phase prior to that of the building concer elled into the hole. This implies that these samples ned. In practice it is impossible to determine where do not represent original grain supplies, but that the charred grains originated. In the theoretical after (and perhaps already during) the carboniz case mentioned above the grains would very prob ation the kernels from different stacks may have ably date from only shortly befarethe construction become mixed. The faet that of two cereal species of the building. Moreover, the transition from one greater numbers of grains were found in one building phase to another was certainly not syn sample does not necessarily imply that a mixture of chronous over the whole of the settlement. For these species was grown. The Gasselte material these reasons, in attributing the charred grain sam ples to the same phase as that of the building con cerned no appreciable mistakes will be made. TABLE 2
2. 3. Floated and dry-sieved samples Samples originating from the same building. The numbers in bold type are flotation samples. As appears from table 3, the seed content of the dry-sieved samples is not wholly comparable with Phase Samples Building that of the floated samples. Small seeds, such as those of R11111ex acetosella , C/Je11opodi11111 alh11111, Sp er 43, 44, 46 house 77 g11/a arve11Sis and Stellaria 111edia, which were found 63, 64 barn 68 quite frequently in the flotation samples, are absent 1 328, 329 barn 51 in the dry-sieved samples. Only larger types of 2 296, 304, 305, 31 1 house 53 field-weed seeds, such as Po6igo1111111 co11vo/1m/11s, Po61- 2 376, 377 barn 34 go1111111 lapathijoli11111/persicaria and Vicia, are fairly 2 403, 428 house 24 common in the dry-sieved samples. It is clear that 2 539, 540, 543 barn 101 this difference in seed content is due to the rather 3 10, 12 house 67 large-meshed screen used in the dry-sieving. That 3 337, 417 house 25 the differences in processing will very probably not 3 396, 434 barn 19 have affected the recovery of the larger grains is 3 537, 544, 545 house 102 suggested by sample 5 4 5. One part of this sample 4 71, 72, 73, 74, 89, 91 , 92, 104 house 71 was submitted fo r flotation, whereas another part 271 R. W. VAN ZEIST & l\L PJ\LFENIER-VEGTER
TABLE 3
Numbers of seeds, fruits and other plant remains from Gasselte. The numbers in bold type are flotation samples. fr = fragment; + = present; cf. = identification uncertain
Sample number 44 186 123 328 329 456 403 311 304 305 49 266 381 376 377 41 1 43 46 63 64 418 454 539 540 543 428 296 Phase 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Avena sativa/strigosa 1 - 720 70 85 11130 100 1 - Secale cereale 36 161 6575 11 '/, 6 320 915 477 - 151 7 11 3 750 3 '/2 '/2 ' Hordeum vulgare 1 3110 195 18 317 353 40 1040 190 15 '/, 2 /2 3 Triticum dicoccum1 + Triticum dicoccum/aestivum Panicum miliaceum Linum usitatissimum Vicia faba var. minuta l'/2 Pisum sativum '/,
Anethum graveolens Satureja hortensis
Corylus fr fr fr Fragaria vesca 1 Prunus spinosa v. Quercus
Polygonum convolvulus 13 15 2 39 6 4 Polygonum lapath ifolium/persicaria 11 22 79 21 1 2 19 20 50 13 28 Polygonum aviculare 4 1 Polygonum hydropiper 1 2'/, Rumex acetosella 260 55 85 18 18 5 19 Rumex obtusifolius Chenopodium album 11 12 17 9 10 Spergula arvensis 16 2 5 Raphanus raphanistrum 16 3 45 Stellarla media 4 Scleranthus annuus2 Anagallis arvensis Viola cf. arvensis Potenlilla reptans Ahinanthus cf. minor Plantago lanceolata Sherardia arvensis Stachys arvensis 5 Bromus mollis/secallnus Centaurea cyanus Knautia arvensis Ranunculus acris Convolvulus arvensis 3 Lotus Fumaria officinalis Euphorbia helioscopia Ballota nigra Galeopsis cf. tetrahit '/J Melandrium album/rubrum Euphrasia Vicia hirsuta 1 Vicia sativa ssp. angustifolia 3 Vicia spec. 3 - 1 / 10 '/ ' 2 2 Echinochloa crus-galli - cf.1 3 20 1 Oigitaria ischaemum 3 Setaria viridis/italica cf. Poa pratensis/trivialis 10 50 Poa annua Gramineae indet. Menyanthes trifoliata Galium palustre Eleocharis 2 Carex serotina-type 3 Carex inflata/vesicaria-type Carex otrubae-type Carex spec. Cyperaceae indet. 3 cf. Phragmites australisJ + + + Calluna vulgaris• + + + Erica tetralixs +
' Spikelet forks in samples 63 and 73 J Stem fragments s Leaves 2 Calyces; in samples 72 and 74 also one seed Leafed stem tips in samples 43 and 428; flower in sample 296 272 4 Agricu/ture in 1lledieva/ Gasse/te
537 396 434 574 91 3 31 474 10 12 417 337 544 545 71 72 73 74 89 92 104 397 295 533 534 573 phase 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 2 ol 3 ? 'h 4 1 2370 433 35 16 2 4575 5275 2160 2750 55 25 250 15 36 7 10 320 33 6 2 1 45 1170 74 196 32 12 145 145 36 55 11 17 2560 322 60 3 22 124 39 60 11 22 2 75 36 6 3 + 2
fr cf. 4
5
1 11 2 2'/, 3 61 50 21 32 1 · 2 3 '/, 40 6 1 23 22 25 16 22 6 5 3 3 6 2 65 1 1 6 3000 600 400 525 5 10 17
11 7 2'/, 5 '/, 37 46 24 6 3 4
3 1 20 6 5+1 3+1 3
2
4'/,
5
2 1/, 16
cf. 1
4 9 15
12 3
+ +
273 W. Vt\NZEIST & R. M. Pt\LFENIER-VEGTER
provides convincing evidence for the cultivation of TABLE 4 separate crop plants. Thus, in samples 454, 296, 417, 71 and 73, one species accounts for 95% and Comparison of cereal grains in floated and dry-sieved more of the cereal grains (table 5). The smal! num portion of sample 545. bers of grains of the other two cereals in the sam ples mentioned above may be due to secondary floated dry-sieved
mixing, but it is equally well possible that they oc numbers % numbers % curred in the field as a minor admixture to the main
crop. In consequence of crop rotation one can Avena 433 57.2 130 54.2 expect contamination with the species grown on Hordeum 322 42.5 110 45.8 the same field in the preceding years. In same cases Secale 2 0. 3 it is probable that the grains in one sample orig inated from different stacks. Thus, samples 5 39 and 5 40 are from two adjacent post-holes of the same house (fig. 2). The diffe rent proportions of Secale could have been practised by the Gasselte fa rmers. and Horde11111 in both samples point to separate sup One wonders whether a possible succession of crop plies of rye and barley which afterwards became plants, the rotation cycle, could be deduced from mixed to same extent. Samples 72, 73 and 74 are the available palaeobotanical evidence. In this con fill of the holes of three consecutive wall nection referencecan be made to the Slavonic fo rti from the posts (fig. 2). The differences in the proportions of fied site (B11rg) of Tornow in Lausitz (East Ger oats and rye suggest that originally at least two many) where Jager (1966) succeeded in determin diffe rent stacks were present. In conclusion, it is ing the most likely crop rotation cycle. At Tornow justified to assume that barley, rye and oats were the conditions were very favourablein this respect. grown separately at Gasselte, although, on the Both strongholds (B111g A and B111g B) were de other band, it cannot be excluded that at the same stroyed in a conflagration. From the remains of the time mixtures of cereal species (maslin) were second period a great number of charred seed sam grown. ples could be obtained. The carbonized grains are from the harvest of one year. iVIoreover, duri ng Above it has been suggested that crop rotation and after the fire onl y slight mixing of the diffe rent
TABLE 5
Percentages of crop plant species. The frequencies are shown as percentages of the sum of the crop plant fruits. Average values are the means of the relative frequencies.
phase 1 phase 2 418 454 456 aver. 539 540 428 403 296 aver.
Avena sativa/strigosa 18.0 1.0 20.1 13.0 0.5 1.0 48.7 33.6 16.8 Secale cereale 4.0 96. 1 75.7 58.4 73.9 56.9 6.5 2.4 99. 7 47.9 Hordeum vulgare 77.9 2.9 4.3 28.3 25.6 42.1 44.8 63.9 0.3 35.3 Triticum dicoccum/aestivum Panicum miliaceum + + Linum usitatissimum Vicia faba + + Pisum sativum 02 + 274 Agric11lt11re i11 1J1edieval Gasse/te
grain supplies had taken place. Out of 73 charred Fig. 2. Ground-plans of a few buildings which yielded more grain samples from the second period (B11rg B), 64 than one charred grain sample. consisted of predominantly one species with an ad mixture of one or more other cereals. From the combinations of main crop and admixture the suc • •• • • r • • I • • cession in which the crop plants were grown could 540. be deduced. BARN • 5391 101 One may doubt whether the Gasselte material • I allows any conclusion concerning possible crop ro . -· ...... - . . 543 tation. This is due to the faet that only very few samples consist of predominantly one species with a minor admixture of one or two other cereals. The combination of samples 454, 296, 417, 71, 73 and 74 544 " • • 545 suggests a rotation cycle: Horde11111 -+ Secale -+ .,, • • • I • Ave11a. It should, however, be emphasized that this conclusion is based upon too small a number of • HOUSE 102 samples which, moreover, date from different • • phases. One may not a priori assume that a crop 537 • • • rotation cycle did not change in the course of 400 • • • , • years. Conseguently, one would do better to refrain from conclusions concerning a possible crop ro tation cycle at Gasselte. One should Jikewise be reticent to conclude any shifts in the relative importance of oats, barley and • • rye in the course of the habitation. In table 5 the . " I• relative freguencies are presented of the crop plants • •••72 73 •74 101, in samples which yielded larger numbers oorrins. ·-· Moreover, for each phase the mean percentages are HOUSE 71 shown. From this table it may be tempting to con • clude that in phases r and 2 rye was guantitatively •• • the most important cereal, whereas in phase 4 oats 89 :.�2 f • • were dominant. One should, however, consider the 91'"' • ••• � •• faet that there are only a few samples per phase and that all samples from phase 4 are from the same 0 10m
phase 3 phase 4 417 544 545 537 aver. 71 72 73 74 92 91 aver.
0.3 48.0 57.2 36.1 35.2 98.6 80.3 95.0 91.4 50.5 53. 1 77.9 95.5 0.1 0.3 2.1 24.4 1.0 17.8 3.3 6.6 29.4 30.8 14.8 3.3 51.9 42.5 61 .9 39.7 0.5 1.9 1.7 2.0 20.2 15.9 7.0
+ 0.2 +
0.9 0.2
275 \Y/. VAN ZEIST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER house (rable 2, fig. 2). Samples 5 34 and 540 (phase the two types has not been attempted. No remains 2) and 544 and 545 (phase 3) are likewise from one of awns were observed on the A. sativa grains from house. It is clear that conclusions concerning Gasselte suggesting that an awnless variety was possible changes in the proportions of the major grown. cereals in the course of time are not justified by the The palaeobotanical evidence suggests that it available evidence. Other questions, such as the was not until the last phase of habitation that A. manuring of the fields and whether fallowing was strigosa became a more important crop plant at Gas practised, must equally remain unanswered. selte (table 6). It is a pity that sample 5 44 (phase 3) yielded only 39 flower bases while in sample 428
3.2. Avena (fig. l 5) with l l 30 oat grains (phase 2) not a single specimen with a flower base was found. For tl1at reason it In addition to Ave11a sativa, the less-known oat cul cannot be ascertained whether A. strigosa was al tivar Ave11a strigosa has been established for Gas ready present befare phase 3 and whether or not it selte. A distinction between the carbonized grains was only an insignificant admixture during phase 3. of these two oat species is only possible if the It is not certain whether during phase 4 A. strigosa flower bases are preserved. It is true that, on the was grown separately or whether it was cultivated average, the kernels of A. strigosa are smaller than together with A. sativa. The varying proportions those of A. sali1Ja, but the size frequency distri of A. slrigosa in samples 7 1 , 72, 73 and 74 could bution curves of both types overlap to a large point to separate stacks of both oat species which extent (cf. Behre, 1973). after the carbonization-became mixed. On the other As for the flower bases, the following should be band, samples 71, 72, 73 and 74 diffe r among each remarked. The spikelets of A. sativa contain usually other in preservation and in the relative numbers of two fe rtile florets each developing one grain. The flower bases (4.4 to 19.9%), suggesting that in lemma of the lower (first) floret of the spike let may these samples more than one supply of A. sativa bear an awn, but in many varieties the first floret is (and A. strigosa) is represented. This leaves the awnless. The upper (second) floret is never awned. possibility that mixtures of both oat species were In A. strigosa, on the other hand, both floretsof one grown. Up to the present A. strigosa constitutes a spikelet have a twisted geniculate awn. In A. saliva, crop plant on its own, although its cultivation has the bases of the lower florets show a fairly broad decreased considerably. fracture surface; the bases of the upper florets are From samples with fa irly large numbers of oat narrower (fig. 3). In A. slrigosa the flower bases are grains 50 to 100 naked kerneis have been selected always narrow. In carbonzied material the (partly) for measurement. The results are shown in table 6 hulled grains of A. strigosa can be distinguished and fig. 4. The mean size of the oat grains does not from those of A. sativa by the foliowing features. diffe r markedly in the various samples. The The flower bases of A. strigosa are still narrower freguency distribution curves equally do not point than those of the upper florets of A. sativa and they to conspicuous differences in the oats in the sam usually terminate in a point. If a suffi ciently large ples concerned. The oats from sample 428 score the part of the lemma is preserved, the remains of the highest mean length as well as the greatest roo awn, or at least the depression indicating the grain weight. Varying soil and weather conditions former presence of the awn, can be observed in A. can easily have accounted for the differences in strigosa (fig. 3). mean grain size. In no case do the measurements In the Gasselte material, a satisfactory separation suggest any tendency towards a larger or smaller could be made between A. sativa and A. strigosa grain size in the course of the habitation. (table 6). The distinction between the lower and For Middels, Behre (1973) has demonstrated upper florets of A. sativa proved to be much more difficult. :i\fany carbonized flower bases were mor phologically intermediate between typical speci Fig. 3. A11ma from sample 71. Upper row: A. sati11a, lower mens of lo'Ner and upper florets as depicted in fi g. floret; middle row: A. satiiJa, upper floret; lower row : A. 3. Consequently, a quantitative separation between strigosa. 0
, . . . '. �'�. 5mm " ' WJ•;. W. VAN ZEIST & R. li!.PALFENIER-VEGTER
100 AVENA L'ngth 100 Length/Breadth Thickness/Breadth
.,, "
Sample 51..t. phase 3 N= 100
l.6 40 U. U !o.2 5.6 60 6.1. 6.8 7.2 mm
.,, .,, " "
Sample t.28 phase 2 N=100
l.6 4.J) u 4-8S.2 !o.6 1.0 u u 7.2 mm
.,, .,, "
' Sample 71 " phase t. N=200 ' " ['
u 40 4.4 " u S.6 '-0 u a.a 7.2 mm eo es 90 'l!r. IO() 105. 110 m .,,
Sample 72 phase t. '
N=200 0
'
" Sample " phase 73 l. ' N=100 0 ' l.6 (,,0 4.4 "" 64 6.3 7.2 mm [.,, ' Sample " phase l. ' N=100 71.. 0 ' [ U Ul LJ. L.9 S.1 !o.6 6.0 U U 7.2 mm W M ro 1� 10 I\ 'JO 'l!r. 100 105. 110 115. Fig. 4. Frec1uency distribution graphs for A/ff11a. sample 72 (30 and 2 1 %, respectively) ane could expect a lower average size for sample 71. As is clear from table 6 and fig. 4 the average dimensions that, on average, the carbonized grains of A. of the oat grains in sample 7 1 are not smaller than strigosa are smaller than those of A. sativa. In this those in sample 72; sample 71 shows even a signi connection it was interesting to see whether this ficantly higher lOO grain weight value than sample difference in mean size of the two Ave11a species 72. One wonders whether the possible effect of a would find expression in the dimensions of oat higher proportion of A. strigosa on the average grains from samples 71 and 72. As the proportion grain size could have been compensated for by a of A. slrigosa in sample 71 is higher than that 1n better quality of the crop. AgriC11/t11re i11 111edie1Ja/ Gasse/te Jessen and Helbaek ( 1944) mention the presence (Copenhagen). The find consists of "numerous" of grains of A. strigosa in pre-Roman and Roman grains or seeds (no numbers, proportions or Iron Age sites in England. In the Netherlands this weights are given) of Avena sativa, A. strigosa (with oat species has so far not been found in prehistoric its variants A. b1wis and/or A. w1dibrevis), Horde11111 sites, but a medieval occurrence of A. strigosa has v11!gare and Vicia sativa (ssp. a11g11stifo lia and ssp. been reported by Zeven ( 1976). The find concerned sativa), while in addition some weed species, such as was recovered from a building trench at the Veer Po6igo1111111 lapathifoli11111, Bro11111s 1110//is and R11111ex weg in \'(lageningen. The exact locality of this find, crisp11S, are represented. which on the basis of the pottery is dated between Behre ( 197 3) found Avena strigosa among the car A.D. 800-1 zoo, is not known. The material has bonized grains and seeds recovered from the lower been examined by the late Professor K. Jessen most floorof the church of JVIiddels, 1 3 km north- TABLE 6 Dimensions in mm and index values for Avena. Numbers and percentages ol flower bases ol A. sativa and A. strigosa. sample numbers 100 grain L B T 100L:B 100T:B (grains with) flower bases of grains weight A. strigosa A. sativa measured in mg numbers % numbers % 41 8 50 600 min. 4.0 1.5 1.3 208 65 26 (phase 1) aver. 5.67 2.02 1.64 282 80 max. 7.0 2.5 2.1 370 96 428 100 830 min. 5.0 1.6 1.2 259 66 (phase 2) aver. 5.99 2.00 1.58 301 80 max. 7.2 2.3 1.9 378 95 544 100 600 min. 4.0 1.5 1.2 208 74 38 (phase 3) aver. 5.79 1.99 1.65 291 83 max. 7.0 2.4 1.9 389 100 71 200 655 min. 3.9 1.4 1.2 233 64 274 30. 1 637 69.9 (phase 4) aver. 5.72 1.99 1.67 290 84 max. 7.4 2.6 2.2 405 100 1.2 1.1 212 49 20.9 79 72 200 575 min. 3.4 62 185 . 1 (phase 4) aver. 5.69 2.02 1.66 284 83 max. 7.3 2.8 2.3 350 116 73 100 535 min. 4.1 1.6 1.2 215 63 59 26.9 160 73. 1 (phase 4) aver. 5.80 2.09 1.64 279 81 max. 7.2 2.6 2.2 350 96 74 100 575 min. 4.0 1.5 1.3 231 66 83 26.8 227 73.2 (phase 4) aver. 5.75 1.99 1.67 290 84 max. 7.4 2.6 2.6 370 100 403 (phase 2) 570 91 (phase 4) 430 279 \Y/.VAN ZEIST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER TABLE 7 Dimensions in mm and index values for Hordeum. sample numbers of 100 grain L B T 100 L:B 100 T:B grains measured weight in mg 418 (phase 1) 100 840 min. 4.6 2.3 1.7 158 61 aver. 5.56 2.93 2.23 191 76 max. 7.0 3.5 2.7 238 89 428 (phase 2) 100 1200 min. 4.6 2.4 1.8 167 59 aver. 5.92 2.87 2.21 206 77 max. 7.0 3.9 2.7 241 83 544 (phase 3) 100 960 min. 4.4 2.3 1.5 158 63 aver. 5.45 2.78 2.14 197 77 max. 6.8 3.3 2.7 250 85 454 (phase 1) 935 403 (phase 2) 905 539 (phase 2) 680 540 (phase 2) 640 545 (phase 3) 835 72 (phase 4) 1130 east of Aurich (Ostfriesland), in Northwest Ger species was confined to rather poor, sandy soils. many. On the grounds of the archaeological evi More to the north, already at an earlier date A. dence this find is dated to c. A.D. rooo, which strigosa seems to have been cultivated. dating is confirmed by a radiocarbon measurement It is very striking that in spire of the fairly large of charred grain. numbers of oat flower bases not a single specimen At Archsum, on Sylt, in North Germany, Kroll with the characteristic oval articulation scar of (1975) could establish the presence of A. strigosa in Ave11a fa t11a was fo und. This could suggest that layers dating from the migration period (5 th to 7th wild oat did not occur at all or that it was very rare cent.) and from the Viking period (8th to roth in the fi elds of the Gasselte farmers. This is some cent.). what surprising because A.fa t11a has been recorded The finds from Wageningen, Gasselte and Mid for various prehistoric sites in the north of the Ne dels indicate that about A.D. 1000, A. strigosa was therlands, and at present wild oat is still an obno grown in Northwest Germany and in the Nether xious weed in some areas. Therefore, the apparent lands, either as a separate crop plant or mixed with absence of A. fa t11a at Gasselte is a phenomenon 280 A. sati!Ja. It is likely that the cultivation of this which cannot easily be explained. Behre (1973) Agrim/t11re in medievai Gasse/te mentions the same for Ivfiddels (see above), where TABLE 8 among 5 7 3 oat grains with a flowerbase, wild oat is not represented. A.Jat11a is egually not reported for Type of impression on the lemma base of Hordeum vulgare. the medieval grain find from \X!ageningen (Zeven I 976). sample horseshoe-shaped transverse crease 418 (phase 1) 21 2 H. Hordeum (fig. r 6) 539 (phase 2) The hulled barley at Gasselte seems to be all of the 540 (phase 2) 7 six-rowed type ( Horde11111 1mlgare) . Many more or 544 (phase 3) less distinctly ]op-sided grains were observed. In 71 (phase 4) most of the grains the palea and lemrnahad largely 72 (phase 4) 5 or completely disappeared as a result of the carbo 73 (phase 4) 3 nization. For measurements well to fairly well pre 74 (phase 4) served kernels without remains of palea or lemma were selected (table 7, fig. 5 ). In a small number of Total 40 3 barley grains the lemma base had still been pre served (table 8). Altogether 40 lemma bases sho'N the horseshoe-shaped depression characteristic of the dense-eared variety occurred as well. No rachis the lax-eared variety of Horde11111 1mlgare, whereas in internodes were found. 3 lemma bases a transverse crease could be observ The 100 grain weights show a considerable vari ed. One may conclude that the barley at Gasselte ation, viz. from 640 to r 200 mg (table 7). For the was predominantly of the nodding type, but that barley from Elisenhof, Behre ( r 976, table r ) de- HOROEUM VULGARE Length 100 Length/ Breadth 100 Thickness I Breadth Sample St.t. phase 3 N= 100 IJ, I.li 5.1 S.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 mm !&O 110 lllO 190 20Cl 2\0 220 2l0 HD 2'>0 .,, " Sample t.18 phase 1 N:lOO .,, '" Sample t.28 phase 2 N=100 Fig. s. Frequency distribution U. U S.2 U &.I) u li.! mm grnphs for Horrle11m 1J11!g are. 281 \V. VAN ZEIST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER termined rno grain weights ranging from po tot greatest mean gram size shows the highest loo 896 mg. In the Elisenhof barley no correlation grain weight. exists between weight and size of the kernels. Con In sample 296 (phase 2) one small grain of naked seguently, Behre wonders whether in carbonized barley (3.6 X 1.9 X 1.7 mm) was fo und (fig. 9:4). material lOO grain weight values are meaningful. In It is clear that this single grain does not in itself modem cereals the lOO grain weight is of great point to the cultivation of Horde11111 vnlgare var. importance, but it seems that the conditions under 1111rl!1111 by the Gasselte fa rmers. It seems that after c. which the carbonization took place determined 5 oo B. C. naked barley was no longer grown in the greatly the weight of the charred kernels. On the (north of the) Netherlands (Van Zeist (1968) 1970, other band, it is stri king that sample 428 with the p. 1 5 9). It is possible that the naked barley at Gas- TABLE 9 Dimensions in mm and index values for Seca/e. sample numbers of 100 grain L B T 100 L:B 100 T:B grains measured weight in mg 454 (phase 1) 200 700 min. 3.9 1.4 1.4 192 74 aver. 5.34 2.02 1.82 266 91 max. 7.4 2.6 2.2 400 119 296 (phase 2) 100 475 min. 3.6 1.4 1.3 176 69 aver. 4.93 2.00 1.82 248 91 max. 6.3 2.5 2.3 348 112 539 (phase 2) 100 500 min. 3.9 1.4 1.3 197 74 aver. 5.24 1.91 1.70 279 90 max. 6.6 2.6 2.2 384 114 540 (phase 2) 40 475 min. 4.2 1.4 1.3 221 78 aver. 5.17 1.91 1.70 275 89 max. 6.3 2.2 2.0 350 112 72 (phase 4) 100 575 min. 4.4 1.6 1.4 190 77 aver. 5.36 2.15 1.95 252 91 max. 6.4 2.6 2.4 354 112 456 (phase 1) 485 295 (phase 2/3) 605 417 (phase 3) 675 91 (phase 4) 540 282 Agrimlt11re in medieval Gasse/te SECALE CEREALE Length 100 Length/8readth 00 Thickness/8readth .,, .,, " " Sample l.Sl. phase 1 N•200 Hi 4.0 U U SJ 5.6 60 lL IUI ?l mm .,, .,, " " " Sample 296 phase 2 N=lOO 16 4.0 U 0 S.2 5J S.O 64 U 7.2 mm Sarrple S29 phase 2 N=100 16 4.0 U U U 5..6 l.0 6.4 U 7.?mm .,, .,, " " Sample phase 2 72 N= 'IOO 16 '-0 U U U U l.O U Umm selte had originated locally, as a mutant of the Fig. 6. Frequency distribution graphs for Ser{f/e rerea/e . h ulled variety. 3 A· Secale (fig. 17) 3. 5. Other food plants As with oats and barley, the preservation of the rye In samples 6 3 (phase 1 ) and 7 3 (phase 4) Tritic11111 grains diffe rs markedly from sample to sample, and dicocc11111 (emmer wheat) is represented by a spikelet even within ane and the same sample well preserv fo rk, while in sample 91 (phase 4) a grain of this ed as well as seriously deformed specimens were wheat species was fo und. Two Tritic11111 grains in found. As is usual in domestic rye, a great variation sample 7 3 could belong either to T. dicom1111 or to in the shape of the grains was observed; slender as T. aesti1111111 (bread wheat). It is not likely that Triti well as plump kernels occur, which finds expres m111 was grown intentionally by the Gasselte far sion in the L: B index values (table 9, fig. 6). On mers. The same is true for Pa11ic11111 111iliace11111 , ane average, no great differences in the dimensions of grain of which was recovered from the large rye the rye grains were recorded and no tendency to sample 454. It is striking that in the examined part wards a larger or smaller grain size in the course of of this sample a relatively large number of fruits of the habitation is suggested by the measurements. Echi11ochloa ems-gal/i was present. Although during Below (chapter 5 ) the djmensions of the Gasselte the Iran Age, broomcorn millet must have been a rye grains will be compared "v ith those of other rather common crop plant in the Netherlands, medieval sites. there is as yet no palaeobotanical evidence for i ts \V.I. VAN ZEIST & R, M. PALFENIER-VEGTER cultivation in medieval times in this area and in here. For this reason their presence at Gasselte Northwest Germany. On the other band, in Slavo points to cultivation by the local population. nic settlements in Central and East Europe Pa11im111 grains are found in great guantities. Altogether 5 seeds of Li1111111 11sitatissi11111111 were 3 .6.1 . Aneth11111 gra11eo/e11s recovered from samples 10, 12 and 417 (3 .8 X I.9, 3.7 X I.8, 3.4 X I.7, 3.3 X I.7 mm). In spite ofthe Only ane fruit of this species was found (sample small number of seeds ane may assume that flax 454). The lateral wings have not been preserved. was cultivated at Gasselte. In this respect ane Moreover, in the carbonized specimen the longitu should take into consideration that apparently dinal ribs are no longer visible as such, but, instead, charred linseeds provide a very incomplete if not the oil tubes show up as ribs (fig. 7: 9). Neverthe misleading picture of flax cultivation in earlier less this fruit (2. 1 mm long) could be identified as times. In contrast to non-carbonized seeds and that of A11eth11111 gra11eole11s. Of dill, the seeds are other remains of Li1111111 which may be fairly numer used as spice and for medicinal purposes. ous in water-logged occupation layers (e.g. in the te1pe11 of the coastal areas of the north of the Ne therlands and of Northwest Germany), charred lin 3.6.2. Sat11reja horte11sis seeds are mostly rare or completely absent. The guestion whether flax wasgrown only temporarily, The oval fruits have a domed dorsal side and a during phase 3, or whether it was a permanent con roof-shaped ventral side. The lower end is pointed stituent of the crop plant assortment of the Gasselte (fig. 7: 3, 4). The charred fruits show a finely re fa rmers, must remain unanswered. ticulate surface pattern. Two fruits of Sat11rlja hor Two leguminous crop plants are represented at temis were recovered (samples 46 and 74). One spe Gasselte, be it very scarcely. The 1/15 part of sample cimen has been measured: I.30 X 0.95 X 0.85 mm; 1 i 454 which was examined yielded 1 /2 seeds of Celtic the other broke prematurely. The l ashed leaves of bean (Vicia ja ba var. 111i1111la), but from the remain Sat11reja serve for flavouring fo od, while a leaf ex ing part of the sample a fe w more beans were tract is used as medicine. selected for measuring : 7.10 (5.9 - 9.3) X 5.38 (4.8 - 6.7) X 5 .32 (4.8 - 6.6) mm for 8 specimens. Although the Celtic beans occur as a minor admix ture in a rye sample, ane may assume that at least in 4. \X/ILD PLANTS the early stages of habitation Vicia fa ba was cul tivated. It is not Jikely that this species could have 4. 1. Some remarks on seeds and fruits of wild maintained itself as a weed in grain fields. plants The identification of half the leguminous seed, with a diameter of 3 .9 mm, in sample 403 (phase 2) In this section same of the seeds and fruits foundat as Pis11111 sati1111111 is reliable. The leguminous seed Gasselte will be discussed briefly. Types which are fragments in sample 295 (phase 2 or 3) are attri generally known and which do not give occasion to buted to Pis11111 sati1111111 with same reserve. The size particular remarks have not been included in the of the fragments, 3 to 4 mm in diameter, was decis discussion. ive. The same holds for the pea fragment in sample 417 (phase 3). 4. I. I. Po6ig,01111111 lapathijo!i11111/persicaria 3.6. Spices or medicinal plants Because of poor preservation (puffing, damage) it was aften impossible to distinguish between the Two species are represented at Gasselte which are fruits of P. lapathifoli11111 and P. persicaria. For that used as spice (kitchen herb) and to which also cu reason these species are presented here as ane type. rative properties are ascribed. Neither species is The presence of both Po6ig,01111111 species could be native to \V est Europe, but they can be grown ascertained. Agric11lt11re in medieval Gasse/te 4. r.2. Po6igo1111111 f? )1dropiper 4. 1.7. Rhi11a11th11s cf 111i11or The fruits of P. f?) 1dropiper are distinguished from Flat, ear-shaped seeds. The wing which surrounds those of P. lapathifoliu111/persicaria by the acuminate the larger part of the seed has not been preserved in upper end and by the finely striate surface pattern. the carbonized specimens. Three of the fo ur Rhi- In some specimens a p,art of the calyx with the 11a11thm seeds found at Gasselte were more or less characteristic glands (warts) was still present. swollen (not the one depicted in fig. 8: 8 !). The size ofthe seeds (2.6 X I.8, 2.6 X 1.6, 2.6 X r.6, r.8 X r. 3 mm) points to Rhi11a11th11s 111i1101" 4. I.3. Sclera11thm a11111111s 4. 1.8. E11phrasia In addition to the characteristic calyces (fig. 7: 13, 1 5 ), two seeds of Sc!era11th11s a11111111s were found.The In charred seeds the seed wall has disappeared. The seeds are ovate in outline, with beaked upper end "inner" seeds are oblong, with a truncated upper and rounded lower end. Surface with 10 longitu end and a pointed lower end. At the surface a fine, dinal ridges (fig. 7: 14). Dimensions of both seeds: transverse striation is visible. This is the same pat r.3 X o.8 and r.2 X o.8 mm. tern as on the seed wall, but the inner seeds do not have the longitudinal ribs. The length of 5 mner 4. 1 .4. Viola cf arvemis seeds varies from 1 .o to r.2 mm. Fruits ovate in outline, more or less circular in 4. 1 .9. Ballo ta 11igra cross-section (fig. 7: 1, 2). The lateral outgrowth at the pointed upper end is sometimes still visible in Obovate nutlets with rounded upper end and poin the charred fruits. The lower end with the hilum is ted lower end. The ventral side is roof-shaped, the rounded. The carbonized fruits of Viola tricolor, V. dorsal side is somewhat domed (fig. 8: 9). The fruit arve11Sis and V. ca11i11a cannot be distinguished from surface is smooth. Two fruits of Bal/ota 11igra were one another. ·Most likely V. arvemis (V. tricolor recovered from sample 63 (phase r): 2.2 X 1.2 and subsp. arven.ris) is concerned here. Five fruits were 2.1 Xr.o mm. measured: q6 (r.4-I.6) X 0.87 (0.8-0.9) mm. 4. 1.ro . S tac!J)'Sarve11sis 4. 1.5. Vicia The obovate nutlets have a roof-shaped ventral side and a domed dorsal side. The lower end is Most of the Vicia seeds have been poorly preserv pointed (fig. 8: 10). The surface is covered with ed. Only for specimens in which the hilum is still small warts which in carbonized fruits may largely present could the species be determined. Seeds with have disappeared. Nine fruits measure 2.27 (r .8- a long, narrow hilum have been identified as Vicia 2.6) X r.62 ( r .4- 1 .8) mm. hirs11ta. Seeds with a wedge-shaped hilum have been attributed to Vicia sativa ssp. a11g11stioliaf . 4. r .11. Sherardia arve11sis 4. 1 .6. Co11vo/v11/11s arve11Sis In the charred fruits of Sherardia arvensis the hairy, The seeds of Co11volv11!11s arve11sis are three-sided in cross-section. Two sides are flat, the other (outer) Fig. 7. i: Viola cf. arve11sis (4 3); 2: Viola cf. arve11sis (4 5 4) ; 3: side is domed. At the lower end of the seed a round Sat11re;a horte11sis (46) ; 4: Sat11re;a horte11sis (74); 5 -6 : Carex to oval hilum is present. The seed wall has a warty i11jlata/11esicaria-type (544) ; 7: Carex serotina-type (64) ; 8: Carex serotina-type (63); 9: A11eth11111 graveolem (454); ob surface structure (fig. 8: 7). Four specimens were 10: R//!mx t11sifo li11S (72); 11-12: Sperg11/a amensis (13); 13: Sclera11th11s measured: 3-4 X 2.1, 3.2 X 2.2, 3.0 X 2.2 and 2.9 a11111111s, calyx (72); 14: Srlerm1th11S a11111111s, seed (72); 15: Sclera11- X 2.2 mm. th11s a11111111s, ca! yx ( 7 1 ) . W. VAN ZEIST & R. M. PJ\LFENIER-VEGTER 0 3 4 0 2 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 10 0 3mm 140 286 Agricttlture in 111edieval Gasse/te 0 2 6 5 3 "· l'.\1 4 7 8 9 10 11 0 3mm W. VAN ZEIST & R. M. P1\LFENIER-VEGTER 2 3 0 3mm 4 Fig. Raphamts mpha11islm111 8); K11a11/ia a1'1'f11sis (4 9. I : (41 2: 5 4); sides and the domed dorsal side show a striate sur K11a11tia an1e11sis m 11 3: (72); 4: Hordm111 Jilt/gare var. 1d 111 (296). face pattern. This species is represented in a few samples from phase 4. Dimensions for 5 specimens: I.62 (I .4-18) X 1.03 (0.8-1.1) X 0.92 (o.8- I . o) mm. toothed calyx has not been preserved (fig. 10: 2). The fruits are oval in outline with a truncated upper end. In the broad furrow at the ventral side a 4. 1.1 2. K11a11! ia arvmsis longitudinal ridge can be observed. The lateral Oblong, compressed fruits with truncated upper and lower end. Characteristic of the fruits of K11a11tia anm1sis are the four pronounced ridges Fig. 8. Erhi11orhloa ems-gal/i Ce11ta11rea 1-2: (4 5 4); 3-4: f)'tllll/S Pla11tago la11mlata E11phorbia hdios<'opia (wings) at the upper end (fig. 9: 2, 3). The stiff (72); 5: (73); 6: (545); 7: Co11110/11n/11s a usis (45 8: Rhi11a11th11s cf. 111i11or (4H); Bal hairs are sometimes still preserved. Three fruits of r/!e 4) ; 9: lota 11igra Starhp tl/'/!fllSis F11111aria o) Jiri11alis this type were found: 3.9 I.8 I.2, 3.9 I. X (63); ro: (7 1 ) ; 11: X X X 7 (5 39). I.o and c. 4.6 X 2.2 X 1.3 mm. Agric11!tt1re in 111edieval Gasse/te 0 3 0 2 0 2mm 4. 1.I 3. Ce11taurea 01a1111s Fig. 10. 1: Setaria viridis/italica (544) ; 2: Sherardia arvemis (71); 3: Digitaria ischae11111111 (4 54); 4: Digitaria ischae/11111// (7 2) . Oblong achenes with truncated upper end and slightly tapering lower end. The lateral crescent shaped indentation near the lower end, in which three-sided, obovate to elliptic in outline, with a the hilum is found, extends over about 1/3 of the stipitate base. The upper part narrows more gradu length of the fruit (fig. 8: 3, 4). Centa11rea qam1s is ally into the style base. Length I.60 (I.4-1.8) mm, represented only in samples from phase 4. For 6 breadth 0.87 (0.7-I .o) mm for 13 specimerts from specimens the dimensions were determined: 2.6 3 sample 544. (2.3-3.0) X 1.13 (I.0-I.2) mm. One Carex otm e-type nutlet was found in lw sample 544 (I.5 X I.I mm). The charred Carex 4.I.14. Carex fruits are markedly smaller than modem and fossil, non-carbonized specimens. Three types have been distinguished among the Carex nutlets from Gasselte. Carex seroti11a-type fruits (fig. 7: 7, 8) are three 4. 1. 1 5. Millet-t_)peJm its sided, obovate in outline. The upper part narrO"ws abruptly into the style base. Length and breadth for This category includes the caryopses of Pa11ic11/ll, 9 specimens from sample 5 44 measure I. 30 (1. 2-I. 5) Digitaria, Echi11och/oa and Setaria. An identification and 0.94 (0. 8-I.1) mm, respectively. key for carbonized, naked millet-type fruits has Carex i11jl ata/ vesicaria-type fruits (fig. 7: 5, 6) are been published by Knorzer (1971). W/. VAN ZEIST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER Pa11ic11111 J11iliace11111 is represented by one grain in TABLE 10 sample 454 (see H .) . Caryopses of Echi11ochloa ems-gal/i were found in Vegetation types established for Gasselte. various samples, but only sample 4 5 4 yielded a somewhat larger number of fruits of this species. "' Cll The grains of Echi11och/oa are oval in outline with � Cll rounded upper and lower end. The ventral side is .r: Cii "' c flat, whereas the dorsal side is domed. The oblong Cll Cll (i) "' radicle shield extends over about 3 of the dorsal "' t Cll / 4 D Cll 0 (i) � .� side (fig. 8: r, 2). For r r specimens from sample (/) 0. c E 0 b Cll - c Ol (/) c "' 454 the dimensions were obtained: length r.64 "' Cll (.) � .r: .r: Cll 0 .r: (r.3-2.0) mm, breadth r.31 (r.r-q) mm. Q_ 0 (/) � Q_ Of Digitari.a ( Pa11im111 ) ischae11111111 only a few 1,2,3,4 Polygonum lapathif./persicaria • fruits were recovered. The caryopses of this species + 1, 3,4 Polygonum hydropiper + • are more slender than those of Echinochloa crus-galli. 1,2,3,4 Polygonum aviculare + • 1 2 4 Rumex obtusifolius + • The radicle shields extend over / 3 to / 5 of the 1,2,3,4 Chenopodium album + dorsal side (fig. ro: 3, 4). Three fairly ·well pre • 1,2, 4 Stellaria media + . served specimens have been measured: r.3 X o. 8, 1, 4 Anagallis arvensis + 1.5 o.8, 1.4 o.8 . X X mm. 1,2,3,4 Stachys arvensis + . In sample 544 a fruit of was Setaria vi.ridis/italica 1,2 Convolvulus arvensis + • found. Characteristic of this type are the lang and 2 Fumaria officinalis + • relatively narrow radicle shield and the papillose 3 Euphorbia helioscopia + . Ballota nigra + • surface of the palea and lemma (fig. IO : I) . Galeapsis cf. tetrahit + . 4 Melandrium album/rubrum + • 4.2. The ecological significance of the wild plants 1,2,3,4 Echinochloa crus-galli + • 1, 4 Digitaria ischaemum + . From a superficial inspection of table 3 it is already 4 Poa annua + . 1,2,3,4 Rumex acetosella clear that the majority of the wild plants are weeds + + • 1,2,3,4 Spergula arvensis from fields, waste places and roadsides. This also + + • 1,2,3,4 Raphanus raphanistrum + + • finds expression in table IO in which it is indicated 1,2,3,4 Polygonum convolvulus + • which syntaxonomic units are suggested by the 1,2,3,4 Scleranthus annuus + . plant species, seeds or fruits of which were recov 1,2 Viola cf. arvensis + . ered from the Gasselte samples. Only higher syn 4 Sherardia arvensis . + . 1, 3,4 Bromus cf. secalinus taxonomic units (classes) are shown. It has not been • + • 4 Centaurea cyanus attempted to arrive at the reconstruction of lower • + • 1, 4 Euphrasia • + • syntaxonomic units, such as associations or orders. 2,3,4 Vicia hirsuta + • A plus sign indicates whether the species at the left 1,2,3,4 Vicia sativa ssp. angustifolia + . 1, 3,4 Potentilla reptans side of the table is found in one or more of the + • 1,2 Rhinanthus cf. minor + phytosociological units deduced for Gasselte. • 1,2,3,4 Plantago lanceolata + In table ro the results of all samples from Gas • 1, 4 Knautia arvensis • + • selte have been combined. Befare each plant name 4 Ranunculus acris + . it is indicated in which of the four phases distin 1, 4 Poa pratensis/trivfalis + • guished at Gasselte the species concerned is re 1,2, 4 Galium palustre + presented. One could wonder whether it is justified 1,2,3,4 Eleocharis . + 1, 3,4 Carex serotina to combine samples which may differ from each + 3 other in age by several hundreds of years. How Carex inflata/vesicaria + 3 Carex otrubae + ever, from table ro it appears that in each phase the 3 Menyanthes trifol iata + postulated syntaxonomic units are represented by a 1,2,3,4 Phragmites australis + smaller or larger number of species. Consequently, Agrimlt11re in 111edieval Gasse/te a subdivision into phases would not have led to a found in the small valley to the east of the settle more differentiated result. ment (fig. l ) or in other moist places. The grassland The class of the Secalinetea comprises weed as vegetation is not a natura! one, but must have come sociations from winter-grain fields indicating that into existence after the clearing of the forest. The at least part of the cereal crop plants at Gasselte marsh-plant species established for Gasselte were winter-sown, i.e. sown in the autumn. Some (Phragmitetea) probably occurred in and near the particular attention should be paid to Ce11ta11rea streamlet at the bottom of the valley, but some of qa1111s, which became such a characteristic plant in them may have originatecl from the Hunze depres winter-grain fields on sandy soils. It is striking that sion. In this connection mention should be made of this species is only represented in phase 4, suggest the faet that in various samples stem fragments ing that cornflower did not arrive in the north of were found which are at least in part of reed the Netherlands until c. looo. The conspicu ( Phrag111iles a11stralis) . For distinguishing between A.D. ous absence of Ave11a Ja t11a, a characteristic species reed and straw well-preserved stem nodes are re ofthe Secalinetea, has already been discussed (3.2.). quirecl. In Phrag111iles the nodes have axillary buds The absence of Secalinetea species, such as Agros which are lacking in straw (cf. Karber-Grohne, te111111a gilhago, Si11apis ar1Je11sis and Papa/Jer rhoeas, 1967, p. 136). For a few stem fragments it coulcl be may be due to the rather acid soil conditions at ascertained that they are of reed. Gasselte (see below). Cal/1111a v11/garis and Erica tetralix are heathland Plant communities from summer-grain fields, species. The charred heather stems, which in a few root-crop fields and ruderal (nitrate-rich) habitats samples occurred in somewhat larger numbers, are included in the class of the Chenopodietea. may point to the use of Ca//1111a for roofing. Same of the species listed under this class, such as Sp erg11/a an;e11sis, Rapha1111s /'{/pha11istm111 , A11agal/is 4-3- \'\!ild fru i ts an;e11.ri.r, S /achj1s an;emis and F11111aria offici11alis, were most likely confined to fields, but many others may Remains of the wilcl fruits are very scarce. Hazel is have grown on waste ground in and near the settle representecl by a few nutshell fragments, a part of ment as well. The complete absence of the Atriplex the fruit stone of Pi1111s sp i11osa was recovered, and has/a!a/pat11/a seed-type could inclicate that vege one pip of (wild) strawberry is present. These fruits tations of rucleral habitats were not common at could have been collected in the vicinity of the si te. Gasselte. For both Atriplex species are abundant in The charrecl acorns from sample 5 7 3 coulclgive rise waste places, on refuse heaps and such-like. In this to the question whether in medieval Gasselte connection it should be mentioned that seecls of acorns were still gathereclfo r human consumption. Urtica rlioica, another plant from nitrate-rich, dis Finds of charred acorns suggest that in prehistoric turbed habitats, have egually not been founcl. times these fruits served as food for man (cf. Knor Sper g11/a an1e11sis, Scl era11thm a11111111s, R11111e:x: ace zer, 1972; van Zeist (1968) 1970). Unfortunately, it tosella , Viola ar1Je11sis and Digitaria ischae11111111 point is uncertain whether the pit from which sample 5 7 3 to fairly acid soils. The botanical eviclence is in was taken belongs to the Gasselte settlement, conformity with the present-clay soil conditions in which makes a further discussion irrelevant. the area (1 .2.). It should be mentioned that, on the other hane!, theevic lence for the presence of Sherar rlia ar/Jemis in the fielcls of the Gasselte farmers 5. CO:MPARISON \X!ITH OTHER SITES cannot easily be reconciled with acid soil con ditions. This species prefers clayey and calcareous 5.1. The crop plant assortment in medieval times soils. Po6igo1111111 !J]1rlropiper could indicate that the fields extended into lower-lying, moist places. The plant husbandry of Gasselte is no isolated case, In addition to the species from fielcls and other and it is self-evident that it should be compared clisturbed soils, a rather smal! number of plants with that of other meclieval sites. Synthesis of the from other habitats is represented. The grassland botanical evidence obtained from various sites species (i\folinio-f\rrhenatheretea) were probably should lead to the reconstruction of the plant hus- \XI. VAN ZEJST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER TABLE 11 Crop plant species in medieval sites. The location of the sites is indicated in fig. 11. +++ = very common; ++ = common; +=present; r = rare. '.:..._ �Cl) � "' Number of samples 38 > 68 5 6 53 8 7 7 Secale cereale +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++ ++ Hordeum vulgare/distichum +++ +++ +++ + +++ + ++ +++ ++ +++ Avena sativa/strigosa +++ ++ + ++ +++ ? +++ ++ ++ Triticum aestivum/dicoccum + + Linum usitatissimum ++ ++ ++ Vicia faba +++ + Pisum sativum 1 Kroll 1975, tables 12 and 13 2 Behre 1975, 1976 6 van Zeist (1968) 1970, table 55 J Behre 1973 1 Zeven 1976 Behre 1969 4 e Pals & van Geel (1976) 1978 van Zeist (1968) 1970, table 53 s 9 van Zeist 1969 bandry in a larger area. About ro years ago no concerned. From Wageningen and Den Burg only other sites would have been available for compa one sample was examined, whereas the information rison with medieval Gasselte. Since then the results fo r Archsum, Elisenhof and Gasselte is based upon of the palaeoethnobotanical examination of a a great number of samples. The si tes are not wholly number of medieval settlements in the Netherlands contemporaneous, but they fall within a time range and in North and Northwest Germany have been of 600 to 700 years, with a concentration in the 8th published. In table r r, the relative crop plant to 10th centuries A.D. ]\rforeover, samples from frequencies in the sites concerned are presented. one and the same site may diffe r in age by several The location of the si tes is shown in fig. r r. hundreds of years. The si tes included in table r r are In evaluating the data presented in table 11, the scattered over a large area (fig. r r ) . Finally, the soil fo liowing should be taken into consideration. The conditions in the vicinity of the sites under con relative freguencies are more or less impressionistic sideration are not the same. Predominantly sandy figures or at best rough estimates. The degree in soils occur near Middels, Gasselte, Odoorn, Den which the botanical evidence may b.e considered to Burg, \Xlageningen and Kootwijk. Sandy loam and be representative varies greatly among the sites loamy sand are reported for the vicinity of Hai- Agrimlt11re i11 J11edieval Gasse/te thabu. Archsum, on the island of Sylt, is situated suitable for rye cultivation. Barley has been cul on a sand ridge, surrounded on three sides by salt tivated in the area since the Neolithic, but rye did marshes. The prehistoric and early historie habi not becorne an important crop plant until early tation of Archsum ranges from the late Neolithic to medieval times. In the coastal area, the cultivation A.D. 1000. In table 11, only Viking Age data are of oats may have started in the first centuries A.D. included for Archsum. The inhabitants of Elisen (Feddersen \Xlierde, Korber-Grohne r 967) . The hof had to make a living in the brackish environ possible role of Ave11a strigosa has been discussed ment of a salt marsh area with clayey soils. Near above (3.2.). Dorestad agriculture would have been practised on Tritic11111 rlicom1111 , which played such a prominent stream-ridge soils (stroo 111mg-gro11rle11): well-aerated, part in the economy of prehistoric farmers, seems calcareous, sandy clays. to have virtually disappeared from the area in early In spire of the differences mentioned above, medieval times. On the sandy soils, emmer wheat some general features of plant cultivation during was replaced by rye and oats. Only in areas with the middle ages emerge from rable 11. Rye, oats loamy or clayey non-saline soils, such as in the vi and barley must have been the most common cereal cinity of Dorestad and Haithabu, bread wheat (Tri crop plants in the area under consideration. The tim111 aestiv11111) may at least partly have taken the absence of rye in Wageningen and of oats in Den place of emmer wheat. It is striking that Pa11ic11111 Burg may be due to the faet that the botanical in 111iliace11111 very probably did not fo rm part of the fo rmation of both sires is based upon only one crop plant assortment of the medieval farmers in sample. For Odoorn it could not be ascertained the area under consideration. As has already been whether wild or domestic oat is concerned there. mentioned above (3. 5 .), broomcorn millet was one At Elisenhof, the brackish soil conditions were un- of the major crop plants in Slavonic settlements of =" = ODOORI,' . : ' .- - .... _ i' - �. � ") ' ' ,.... '· Fig. 1 1. Location of sires mentioned in tabJe 11. W. V1\N ZEIST & R. M. Pt\LFENIER-VEGTER Central and East Europe, dateclto the 7th-r 2 th cen the numbers of charreclbea ns were smal!. The evi turies A.D. clence from Elisenhof and the Feclclersen \Xfiercle The representation of linseecl ( Li1111111 mi suggests that Celtic bean may seriously be uncler totissi11111111) varies much more than that of the representecl in the charrecl seed record, that is cereals. This may be due to a great extent to the faet under-representecl in proportion to cereals. It is that apparently for linseeds the chances of becom true that fincls consisting of a great number of ing carbonizecl were much smaller than for cereals. Celtic beans have been reported (cf. Schultze Only from J\lficlclelswere a consiclerablenu mber of Motel, 1972), but they are an exception. It seems charreclli nseecls recoverecl; nearly all linseeclsfrom justifiecl to assume that in medieval times, Vicio Elisenhof and Kootwijk, in which sites Li1111111 is fo ba was cultivatecl not only in the brackish en well represented, are non-carbonizecl. Although vironment of the coastal salt marsh areas, but also the available palaeobotanical evidence does cer in the interior of the Netherlanclsand of Northwest tainly not justify the conclusion that flax was and North Germany. It is cloubtful whether in the grown everywhere in the miclclle ages, one may economy of inlancl sites Celtic bean playecl as im assume that at least locally or regionally it was an portant a part as in that of coastal sites. Table l 1 important crop plant. suggests that Pis11111 soti1m111 did not constitute a The evaluation of charrecl Celtic beans in terms wiclespreacland common crop plant, but that it was of the economic importance of this species in ear locally grown. lier times is likewise clifficult. The majority of the remains of Vicio fo bo recoverecl at Elisenhof con 5.2. Comparison of grain sizes sists of non-carbonizecl seecls, pods and stems. Only about 19% of the beans was carbonized. Kor In this section the dimensions of oats, barley and ber-Grohne (1967) arriveclat a similar result for the rye from Gasselte will be compared with those FeclclersenWiercle (rs t to 4th centuries A.D.): com from the other medieval si tes included in table r 1. parecl to the non-carbonizecl remains of Vicio fo bo, In this connection it should be mentioned that for Den Burg, \Xfageningen and Kootwijk no measure ments are (yet) available. Fig. i 2. J'vlean dimensions for A1•t11r1 from various sires. Only One may wonder whether it would have been rneasurements of naked grains are presented in this figure. appropriate to start with a discussion on the kind of 100 AVENA Length Breadth LIB O 5.0 mm O 2.2 V.mm 200 32 L-1\)11111111 L___/\J llllllll 4.6 4.8 5.2 5.4 5.6 S.8 6.0 6.2 �l6 1.8 2.0 0 240 250 260 270 290 100 310 0 K2B ------lAKA 19 ------ARC.HSUM 61 - -- - - AAS { ��� ==��== ------HAITHABU ELISENHOF J : ���=--- -- l :;: 10Sa ------ MIDDELS l .J �::_-- ------418 ------GASSELTE 428 ------544 ------7173 ------72 ------74 - - - DORESTAO HOROEUM Length Breadth 100 L/B '·' K ---·------(AA 19 --- -- K ------ARCHSUM 20 -- 69 ----- ( 113 -----=:::: ---______HAITHABU ;!� ---- 1;55 ------806 ------810 ----- 811 ------EUSENHOF 267 ------288 ------ 296 ----- MIDDELS .1;28 ------l.G5.1;4l8 ----- GASSELTE ------ OORESTAD fig. Mean dimensions for from various si tes. information one expects to obtain from such a 1 3. /-fordn1111' comparison. How far is it meaningful to compare Only measurements of grains witJ,out palea and lemma are presented in this figure. dimensions of cereal grains (and of other fruits and seeds) from diffe rent sites? Are diffe rences in di mensions due to differences in environmental con di tions sucb as soil and weather, or do they rather point to different varieties or races? Instead of star ting from specific questions we shall rather discuss what conclusions and comments can be justified bv Fig. Mean dimensions for from various sites. 14. Srtafl' n'rMle SECALE CEREALE Length Breadth 100 Li B O t..t. U mm 11111111 L_/\J I 1111111 � 4.8 5.0 51 5.1; 5.6 5.8 6.0 0 200 210 220 230 2-'0 250 260 270 280 290 K !AA19 ------ARCHSUM 28 - ---- AA 5 ------ 53 ------54 ------HAITHABU ------113 --- -- 115 ------, ______2 - - - -- MIO DELS s------6------15a ------ 1;5L ------296 ------GASSELTE 539 ------540 ------72 ------ ODOORrl DORESTAO W. VAN ZEIST & R. M. PALFENIER-VEGTER 0 5 10mm I I I rig. 1 5. Al'l'llrl sr1 /l1 •a/s!rlc�O.frl, sample 71. the bread th is an i 111 po rtant measu rernent; a smaller length can, at least in part, be compensated by a for greater breadth. It is true that the volume of the grains is also dependent on the thickness, but for a the measurements. This discussion will be far from comparison of sizes - in other words, in discussing exhaustive. It is mainly intended to evoke some relative grain sizes - the thickness is of less import more discussion on this subject. In the last few ance, at least in the case of oat, barley and rye ker years fa irly large numbers of measurements of nels. Grain weights should be well suited for com seeds and fruits have been published, but so far paring grain sizes, but apparently this does not these data have been drawn very little into the dis work for carbonized grains (see 3+). For this cuss10n. reason 100 grain weights are not shown in figs. 12- The comparison of the dimensions will be con 14. The presentation of the L: B index values may fi ned to length, breadth and L: B index. In figs. r 2- appear to be somewhat superfluous as they are not 1 4 these values are presented for oats, barley and independent data. However, these values have rye. It goes without saying that forthe cereals con proved to be very useful in comparing grain sizes. cerned the length is most inclicative of the size (volume) of the grains. In addition to the length, The average size of the oat grains from Gasselte is Agric11/t11re i11 111edieval Gasse/te 0 5 10mm I I I Fig. 6. J-lorrll'11111 1'11/gnrr, exceeded by. those from Dorestad and Archsum 1 sample 428. (fig. r 2). The oat grains from Dorestad show the highest mean L: B index value indicating that they are most slender on the average. The average grown at Dorestad and the other sites. A similar length of the oats from Middels, Elisenhof and explanation forces itself in comparing the oats from Haithabu is not only less than that from Gasselte, Gasselte and Middels, two sites with cornparable the grains of the former sites are also pl urnper (they soil conditions. The average Jength of the oats show lower L: B index values). from rdiddels is distinctly Jess than that from Gas It is clear that there are differences in the average selte, but the breadth is about the same, implying dimensions of the oat grains from the various si tes. plumper kernels at lVIiddels. In view of the clayey It is tempting to ascribe the greater average length soils near Elisenhof the relatively smal] size of the of the Dorestad oats to the favourable soil con oat grains from that site may seern astonishing at ditions in the vicinity of that site. On the other first sight, but the salinity of the soil may have had band, the slenderness of the Dorestad grains cannot an unfavourable influence on the guali ty of the easily be explained as the result of good soil, but crop. The fa et that A1Je11a strigosa was present in this points rather to diffe rences in the oat varieties same sites and not in others could account for part VAN ZEIST R. M. PALFENlER-VEGTER \XI. & 0 5 10mm I I I Fig. 17. sample 72. S1·mle cermle, grains from .l\i[iddels are, on average, sornewhat smaller as well as plumper than those from Gas selte. The same has been established for the oat of the differences in mean dimensions. As for Gas grains from the two sites. The barley from Elisen selte a possible effect of Alima slrigosa on the mean hof has a rather smal! average grain size, probably dimensions of oat grains could not be dem due to the saline soil conditions. One wonders onstrated (3.2.), it is not meaningful to draw this whether the widely varying mean length and rnean fa ctor into the discussion. L: B index values at Elisenhof reflect the effects of fluctuating weather conditions. Thus, dry summers The dimensions of the barley grains (fig. 1 3) pro must particularly have had an adverse effect be vide a picture which in broad outline is comparable cause of the increase in the salinity of the soil. The to that for oats. Dorestad has conspicuously large barley from Haithabu is comparatively smal!. This barley grains which, again, is in conformity with smal] grain size seems difficult to reconcile with the the favourable soil conditions. It should, however, fairly good soil conditions (loamy sand to sandy also be taken into consideration that the Dorestad loam) in the Haithabu area (see below). barley is Horde11111 distirh11111 , whereas for the other sites Horde11111 /ill��are is concernecL The barlev \'\lith respect to the dimensions fo r rye kernels pre-. Agrict1/t11re in 111edieva/ Gasse/te sented in fig. 14 the foliowing can be remarked. BEH RE, K.-E., 1 975. \Xlikingerzeitliehe Aekerbau in der Seemarseh bei Elisenhof/Sehleswig-Holstein (deutsehe There is a striking difference between the rye from Nordseekuste). Folia Q11ater11aria 46, 49-62. Gasselte and Middels. The rye grains from Middels BEHRE, K.-E., 1976. Die Pf la11ze11reste derfriihgeschichtlichw W11rt are, on average, shorter than those from Gasselte, Elise11hof Studien zur Kustenarehiiologie Sehleswig-Hol but at the same time the former show a greater steins, Serie A: Elisenhof, Band 2. Bern & Frankfurt/M. average width. As is clear from the L:B index BODE�IKAART VAN NEDERLAND, 1977. Blad 12 Oost, Assen. Stiehting voor Bodemkartering, \Xlageningen. values, the Middels rye is conspicuously plumper JAGER, K.-D., 1966. Pflanzliehe Grossreste aus der Burg than that from Gasselte. Rye grains usually show a wallgrabung Tornow, Kr. Calau. In: J. Herrmann, great variation in shape; short and plump as well as Tomow 1111d Vorberg, ei11 Beitrag z11r Friihgeschirhte der long and slender grains occur in the same sample. It La11sitz. Berlin, 164-189. seems that in the rye grown by the Middels farmers JESSEN, K. & H. HELBAEK, 1944· Cereals in Great Britain and Ireland in Prehistorie and Early Historie Times. Det Kon the proportion of plump grains is considerably gelige Da11ske Videnskabemes Selskab, Biologiske Skrifter, greater than at Gasselte and the other sites re III, 2. presented in fig. 14. This may point to different KNORZER, K.-H., 1971. EisenzeitLiehe Pflanzenfunde im Rhein varieties. land. Bo1111rr Jahrbiicher 171, 40-5 8. The quality of the rye grains from Haithabu is KNORZER, K.-H., 1972. Eine bronzezeitliehe Grube mit geros teten Eieheln von Moers-Htilsdonk. Bo1111er Jahrbiirher only equalled by th�t from Dorestad. This suggests I 72, 404-41 2. that at Haithabu conditions were favourable for KORBER-GROHNE, u., 1967. Geobota11isrhe U11termrh1111ge11 a11f der cereal cultivation as may be expected for an area Feddersc11 IVierde. \Xliesbaden (Textband & Tafelband). with sandy loam and loamy sand soils. As has been KROLL, H. J·, 1975. Ur- 1111d friihgcsrhirhtlicher Ackerba11 i11 mentioned above the barley from Haithabu has a Archs11111 au[ .S;ylt. Ei11e bota11isrhe Grossresta11alpe. Disser tation, Kiel. rather smal! grain size which is clifficult to explain PALS, J· P. & B. VAN GEEL, (1976) 1978. Rye Cultivation and in terms of unfavourable growing conditions. The the Presenee of Cornflower Ce11tr111rca C)'a1111s L.). Berirh ( large size of the Haithabu rye indicates that, indeed, tc11 Rijksdie11st 011dbeidk1111dig Bode111011rlerzoek 26, r99-204. other factors than the quality of the soil must be SCHULTZE-MOTEL, J-, 1972. Die arehaologisehen Reste der Ae held responsible fo r the rather smal! size of the kerbohne, Viria fa ba L., und die Genese der Art. Die Kult111pfla11ze 19, 321-358. barley grains. In contrast to barley and oats which \VATERBOLK, H. T. & o. H. HARSHIA, 1979. J\•Iedieval .show a comparatively large grain size at Archsum, farmsteads in Gasselte (Provinee of Drenthe). Palaeohis the rye from that site is rather small-grained. toria 2 1, 227-265. ZEIST, w. v,1N, 1969. Agrieulture in Early-Medieval Dorestad, From the brief discussion of the dimensions of the a Prelirninary Report. Berirhten Rijksdimst 011dheidk1111dig Borle111011rlerzoek 19, 209-2 1 2. cereal grains it seems evident that in addition to soil ZEIST, w. VAN, (1968) 1970. Prehistorie and Early Historie and weather conditions, differences in crop plant rood Plants in the Netherlands. Palaeohistoria 14, 41-17 3. varieties may account for the variation in size and ZEVEN, A. c" 1976. De 1949-graanvondst aan de Veerweg te shape of the kernels. In any case it is clear that no \Xlageningen. \'\l ageningen (mimeographed). simple explanation for the diffe rences in the average dimensions of the grains presents itself from the available data. 6. REFERENCES BEHRE, K.-E., 1969. Untersuehungen des botanisehen 1' vfaterials der fruhrnittelalterliehen Siedlung Haithabu (Aus grabung 196 3-1964). Berirhte iiber die A11sgrab1111geu i11 Haithab11 2, 7-5 5. BEH RE, K.-E., 1973. J\'1ittelalterliehe Kulturpflanzenfunde aus der Kirehe von Middels (Stadt Aurieh/Ostfriesland). Proble111e der Kiistmforsch1111g i111 siidlirhen 1\Tordseegebiet lo, 39-47.