Flax seeds from Neolithic and Bronze Age pile-dwelling sites in Europe

Abstract Plant finds from Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites in the Alpine region are usually extraordinarily well preserved and thereby offer realms of possibilities to study the relationship between plants and humans in the past. Changes in the importance of cultivating oil- and/or fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in the period between the 43rd and the 20th century BC are discussed. These changes might be explained by innovations in textile production at the same time. Thus, the study is considered to be relevant for both archaeologists and archaeobotanists. Flax seeds from 33 Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites were measured. The results show that two transitions in seed size occurred in the entire Alpine region. From the 38th century BC onwards a new variety of flax with smaller seeds was cultivated, and at the same time textile tools such as loom weights and spindle whorls, as well as textiles made of flax increased. In all sites that have been analysed so far, this small-seeded variety that produces a much higher amount of fibres in their stems than the oil variety, dominate from the 35th century onwards. However, during the 3rd millennium a change recurred. Increased flax seed size from locations dated to the 20th century indicates the cultivation of an oil variety. Presumably, fibre flax had lost its importance in favour of usage of animal fibres for textile production.