Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1037730 | Journal of Archaeological Science | 2006 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
The recent discovery of banana phytoliths dating to the first millennium BC in Cameroon has ignited debate about the timing of the introduction of this important food crop to Africa. This paper presents new phytolith evidence obtained from one of three sediment cores from a swamp at Munsa, Uganda, that appears to indicate the presence of bananas (Musa) at this site during the fourth millennium BC. This discovery is evaluated in the light of existing knowledge of phytolith taphonomy, the history of Musa, ancient Indian Ocean trade and African prehistory.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Materials Science (General)
Authors
B. Julius Lejju, Peter Robertshaw, David Taylor,