Desert agriculture at Bir Madhkur: The first archaeobotanical evidence to support the timing and scale of agriculture during the Late Roman/Byzantine period in the hinterland of Petra

• Archaeobotanical evidence for crops grown in the Wadi Araba in antiquity.
• Evidence for the dating of ancient agricultural field systems in the Wadi Araba.
• Support for population increase in Wadi Araba in the Late Roman/Byzantine period.
• Evidence for the role of the hinterland of Petra, Jordan in antiquity.

This study presents archaeobotanical data that allow for a better understanding of the scale and timing of agricultural production during the Late Roman/Byzantine period (A.D. 284–500) at the site of Bir Madhkur, which lies in the hinterland of the ancient Nabataean capital of Petra, Jordan. The desert of the Wadi Araba region that encompasses Bir Madhkur has not changed significantly since antiquity and is surrounded by ancient agricultural fields and associated farmhouses. Analysis of the archaeobotanical remains recovered from 62 soil samples address questions related to how and when plants were grown and what role they played in the local and regional economy. Two varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. aestivum L. and T. aestivum ssp. compactum ((Host) Mackey), several legumes and fruits have been identified. There is also evidence of crop by-products and weeds specific to crop fields, which support local agriculture. In addition to the archaeobotanical remains, evidence of dung fuel has been recovered and is likely the source of the charred chaff and weed species. The archaeobotanical data provide direct evidence of increase in agricultural production.