Ancient DNA confirms a local origin of domesticated chenopod in eastern North America

► Chenopod was an important starchy seed crop in prehistoric eastern North America. ► Chenopod was either domesticated locally or introduced from Mesoamerica. ► We use ancient and modern DNA extraction and analysis to test the two hypotheses. ► Chenopod was locally domesticated in the Eastern Woodlands. ► Pre-maize Eastern Woodlands agriculture was based on native, not introduced crops.