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10/14/2020 "Noah's Ark" Prehistoric Sites Exhibit Evidence for the Domestication of the Chickpea | Jan 23, 2013 - ReleaseWire
www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-evidence-for-the-domestication-of-the-chickpea-196401.htm 1/3
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Archaeologist reports prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey exhibit evidence for the domestication of the chickpea or
garbanzo bean.
Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/23/2013 --Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological
contract rm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah’s Ark
by several religious organizations, provide evidence for the domestication of the chickpea or garbanzo bean.
Klenck remarks, “The remains of wild chickpea have been found in archaeological contexts in a monumental wood
structure and cave on Mount Ararat, which originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). From loci 3
and 8 in the monumental wood structure, the oors of these contexts are covered with chickpea seed, bitter vetch, and
other botanical remains. These assemblages comprise thousands of uncharred seeds in contexts that appear to function as
storage areas for food stus. This discovery is very important because the chickpea is one of four Southwest Asian legumes
associated with wild wheat and wild barley in archaeological contexts from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600
B.C.) through the beginning of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A or PPNA Period (9,600-8,500 B.C.). The PPNA roughly correlates
with the beginning of farming.”
The archaeologist continues: “Early human populations encountered wild chickpea seeds that were small with thick coats.
These traits enabled the chickpea to delay germination to avoid environmentally poor years. In the process of
domestication, early farmers selected for larger seeds with thin coats, which facilitated annual production of chickpea crops
and a greater source of chickpea meal.”
Klenck remarks, “The wild chickpea specimens from the Ararat sites exhibit much smaller seeds with proportionally much
thicker exteriors compared to modern chickpeas. From seed sellers in Dogubayazit, the modern chickpea that most
emulates the Ararat specimens is a smooth-coated seed called gevrek leblebi. The modern seeds have an average diameter
of 101 millimeters; the average diameter of the Ararat specimens in 38 millimeters. The hulls of these modern chickpeas
comprise 12.6% of the total diameter of the seeds. Wild chickpea seeds from Locus 3 on Mount Ararat have seed coats that
represent 20.9% of the total diameter of the seeds.”
The archaeologist concludes, “The botanical remains from the prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat provide archaeologists
wonderful insight into the domestication processes of legumes in the Near East.”
About PRC, Inc.
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and
research.
Joel Klenck
President
PRC, Inc.
786-277-4844
Email | Web | Prole
10/14/2020 "Noah's Ark" Prehistoric Sites Exhibit Evidence for the Domestication of the Chickpea | Jan 23, 2013 - ReleaseWire
www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-evidence-for-the-domestication-of-the-chickpea-196401.htm 3/3
Source: PRC, Inc.
Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 11:13 AM CST - Permalink
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