Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives
This study presents anatomical descriptors to identify stems and petioles of the Near and Middle East palms genera (Chamaerops, Hyphaene, Medemia, Nannorrhops, Phoenix). Since the Bronze Age, these palms are an essential plant resource for the populations of the hot deserts of these regions. Stems o...
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Laboratoire Éco-anthropologie et Ethnobiologie
2013-12-01
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| Series: | Revue d'ethnoécologie |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/ethnoecologie/1366 |
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| author | Romain Thomas |
| author_facet | Romain Thomas |
| author_sort | Romain Thomas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents anatomical descriptors to identify stems and petioles of the Near and Middle East palms genera (Chamaerops, Hyphaene, Medemia, Nannorrhops, Phoenix). Since the Bronze Age, these palms are an essential plant resource for the populations of the hot deserts of these regions. Stems of Phoenix and Hyphaene are used as building materials in architectural work (beams and pillars) and in rare cases as fuel. Woody petioles and midribs of these five genera constitute a common source of fuel, as shown by the many palm fragments found in domestic hearths on archaeological sites. They are also transformed into furniture, small fishing boats or other carpentry works. However, until recently, fragments or remains were identified to the family level – usually interpreted as coming from the date palm – but no attempt had been made to distinguish: (i) the different genera; and (ii) the stem tissue from the woody parts of the leaf (petiole). This work provides positive anatomical descriptors to identify the different structures and the different genera both on carbonized and desiccated material. This study may thereby contribute to the knowledge of human practices of the past. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9ddee23bfc8a41e89acfea8fa5973396 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2267-2419 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2013-12-01 |
| publisher | Laboratoire Éco-anthropologie et Ethnobiologie |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revue d'ethnoécologie |
| spelling | doaj-art-9ddee23bfc8a41e89acfea8fa59733962025-02-05T16:25:24ZengLaboratoire Éco-anthropologie et EthnobiologieRevue d'ethnoécologie2267-24192013-12-01410.4000/ethnoecologie.1366Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectivesRomain ThomasThis study presents anatomical descriptors to identify stems and petioles of the Near and Middle East palms genera (Chamaerops, Hyphaene, Medemia, Nannorrhops, Phoenix). Since the Bronze Age, these palms are an essential plant resource for the populations of the hot deserts of these regions. Stems of Phoenix and Hyphaene are used as building materials in architectural work (beams and pillars) and in rare cases as fuel. Woody petioles and midribs of these five genera constitute a common source of fuel, as shown by the many palm fragments found in domestic hearths on archaeological sites. They are also transformed into furniture, small fishing boats or other carpentry works. However, until recently, fragments or remains were identified to the family level – usually interpreted as coming from the date palm – but no attempt had been made to distinguish: (i) the different genera; and (ii) the stem tissue from the woody parts of the leaf (petiole). This work provides positive anatomical descriptors to identify the different structures and the different genera both on carbonized and desiccated material. This study may thereby contribute to the knowledge of human practices of the past.https://journals.openedition.org/ethnoecologie/1366anatomystempetiolefibrovascular bundleChamaeropsHyphaene |
| spellingShingle | Romain Thomas Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives Revue d'ethnoécologie anatomy stem petiole fibrovascular bundle Chamaerops Hyphaene |
| title | Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives |
| title_full | Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives |
| title_short | Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives |
| title_sort | anatomy of the endemic palms of the near and middle east archaeobotanical perspectives |
| topic | anatomy stem petiole fibrovascular bundle Chamaerops Hyphaene |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/ethnoecologie/1366 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT romainthomas anatomyoftheendemicpalmsofthenearandmiddleeastarchaeobotanicalperspectives |