Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) in the Archaeological Chronicle of Ukraine

Abstract

This article collects and organizes data on common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) finds from archaeological sites in modern Ukraine. The first find comes from charred macro-residues discovered in the middle of the 20th century in the hillfort of Bilsk. Two more finds are represented by imprints on clay products. They were discovered as a result of a purposeful inspection of ceramics; these finds come from Scythian sites. The last find comes from an Ancient Rus site: a significant amount of charred material was found there. The territory of modern Ukraine is situated at the crossroads of Eurasian land routes and waterways. The findings presented are important for restoring the history of the appearance of the cocklebur in Europe.